I-Team: Internal Investigation Clears Greenway Conservancy Of Improper Financial Conduct
BOSTON (CBS) - An internal review of finances by the nonprofit that oversees downtown Boston's Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway has turned up no evidence of "improper conduct," according to a report the WBZ I-Team obtained.
The Greenway Conservancy launched the internal investigation in the wake of a critical anonymous report that circulated to local media outlets.
The report, dubbed "Greenway Uncovered," accused Conservancy leadership of project cost overruns, accounting tricks and bloated salaries.
One of the targets of the report was last summer's Janet Echelman sculpture that floated in the air above the Greenway. (Editor's note: WBZ-TV was a media sponsor of the art installation).
The original budget for the art project was $500,000. However, the final price tag soared to about $1.8 million.
Michael Nichols, the Greenway's chief of staff, said the project's costs became apparent as the design and installation process took shape. But Nichols reiterated the price tag was covered mostly by private donors, along with competitive art grants. He also said the increased budget was discussed in open meetings on several different occasions.
"There were no taxpayer funds used on the sculpture," Nichols told WBZ-TV. "We went out and identified private funds to cover those adjustments in cost."
The Conservancy is receiving roughly $2 million dollars this year from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), which can only be used for maintenance and horticulture on the stretch of urban park space.
The anonymous report claimed the nonprofit improperly used public funds on things like the art project and staff salaries, prompting the Conservancy's board to launch an internal review.
"I think the right thing to do, given that 40% of our funds do come from the public is to look into it and make sure there is no merit to the claims," Nichols said. "I think we are the most scrutinized nonprofit in the state."
The review, commissioned by board member Bud Ris, did not find evidence to support the whistleblowers' claims of improper conduct.
Read the internal report here.
"We have concluded that there is no reasonable basis for launching a formal investigation into the complaints," the report said.
In the past, MassDOT leaders have publicly stated they eventually hope to eliminate the Greenway Conservancy's taxpayer subsidies and expressed concern about the allegations when they surfaced in June.
When asked about the internal investigation on Thursday, MassDOT spokeswoman Jacquelyn Goddard said, "We look forward to reading the report and discussing the findings with the appropriate stakeholders."
The current subsidy agreement between MassDOT and the Greenway Conservancy ends next summer. At that point, it will be determined how much of the Greenway's maintenance costs taxpayers will continue to pick up.
"I do appreciate having this," said Michael Austin of Dorchester as he cooled off in a fountain on Thursday. "But it is surprising to hear a project like that go so over budget. I would just like to see them do a little better on the math."
