Coakley
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is reportedly investigating whether a state representative concealed the source of $50,000 in campaign contributions.
A spokesman for the Attorney General's Office told the Eagle-Tribune that an investigation is underway into state Rep. Paul Adams, a Republican from Andover.
According to the newspaper, the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance sent a letter to Coakley this week saying Adams committed three election law violations.
The office said it believed Adams, who won the 17th Essex District in November, tried to hide the source of the money, exceeded a cap on the amount candidates can accept from an individual and did not provide an accurate disclosure of contributions.
Adams told the Eagle-Tribune in November that the $50,000 was a result of his frugal lifestyle. His campaign financial statements indicated that he loaned himself the money.
However, filings with the state Ethics Commission would show he had no investments worth more than $1,000, according to the newspaper.
He later said the money came from family members.
Adams' district was formerly represented by Barry Finegold, now a state senator.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.