I-Team: Winthrop Harbormaster Target Of Probe
WINTHROP (CBS) - If you are looking for Winthrop's full-time harbormaster, you might not find him in his temporary office or out on the harbor.
The I-Team found Charles Famolare spends many of his mornings at his catering business on "E" street in South Boston.
Watch Joe's I-Team report:
We asked Winthrop town manager James McKenna if that was appropriate for a full-time town employee.
"No, it's not," he said. "I certainly hope he's not doing that."
Famolare agreed to talk to the I-Team at his lawyer's office. He admitted spending time working outside of Wintrhop.
"I am a person who does work in South Boston. I do participate in the family business," he said.
When we asked about his work schedule, Famolare defended his record as harbormaster.
"I do an outstanding job as harbormaster. I am very proud of my accomplishments there," he said.
It is not actually questionable work hours that have Charles Famolare in trouble.
The I-Team has learned Winthrop's harbormaster is now the focus of at least two state investigations.
One concerns work done at his waterfront home and the other centers on missing documents.
The I-Team has learned the State Ethics Commission is investigating whether Famolare charged work done on the dock of his waterfront home in 2007 to the taxpayer.
Documents obtained by the I-Team suggest finger piers installed at the Famolare dock were paid for by a company working on a public contract at Winthrop's Town Pier.
The I-Team asked Famolare if he had any record of payment for the piers.
"I can not answer that question. It is(a) pending matter and I have to respect the process," he said.
In 2008, when then-Winthrop Town Manager Richard White learned of the work done on the Famolare dock he suspended his Harbor Master.
In a letter he stated:
"...you have used your official position to secure for yourself unwarranted privileges of a substantial value."
White told the I-Team he was flabbergasted by what happened next.
White left Winthrop, taking a new job down on Cape Cod. Winthrop's interim town manager Larry Holmes, a friend of Famolare, then re-instated him as harbormaster.
That is when a second investigation was launched by the State Inspector Generals' office and that new investigation concerns Winthrop's current Town Manager, Jim McKenna.
"We take this very seriously are we are cooperating with the Inspector General's office to come to a determination of the situation," he said.
In addition to an audit of the harbormaster's account, state investigators have asked for documents and emails. The I-Team has confirmed some have now disappeared.
The I-Team asked Famolare if he had any knowledge of any missing documents.
"I have no recollection of that," he said.
Regardless of this investigation, there will be changes in how Winthrop conducts business. Soon electronic fee collection machines will be installed town-wide.
They will replace simple collection boxes like the one on the Winthrop harbor front.
Town Manager McKenna says cash fees will no longer be collected by any town employees.
Charles Famolare told the I-Team he expects to be completely cleared and then he will be able say more about these investigations.
