More Mass. Government Corruption ? :E-mails detail biotech meetings

The Boston Globe reports:

Former state economic undersecretary Robert K. Coughlin met with state biotechnology executives to develop lucrative tax breaks for the industry at the same time that he was entering discussions with the biotech trade group to become its next president, newly released e-mails show.


Among the meetings was a June 5 session in his Beacon Hill office attended by an executive of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and an executive from a biotech company, Shire Pharmaceuticals. During the meeting, according to the e-mails, Coughlin invited the executives to submit draft language that could be included in legislation for the industry's tax credits.

The same week as that meeting, Coughlin was in separate contact with the biotechnology council's search firm, setting up a meeting with the council's executive search committee that was interviewing candidates for the vacant presidency. That gathering occurred on June 11, and eventually led to his hiring by the council on Aug. 11. He assumed the post last week, replacing former House speaker Thomas M. Finneran.

Over six weeks during June and July, as he continued acting as Governor Deval Patrick's point person on life sciences initiatives, Coughlin never told the governor's office that he was simultaneously seeking the biotech council's top job, as is required by state Ethics Commission rules. He ultimately disclosed his candidacy to administration officials on July 24.

Politics is a lucrative racket for some.