Buying a judgeship for $39,775?

In the wake of the Probation Dept. scandal and much else in Massachusetts politics that simply reeks with unqualified appointments and corruption, one might expect conduct to be beyond reproach. Not so when this issue raises questions about an unqualified candidate achieving a lifetime appointment.

The arrogance of Beacon Hill clearly needs some humility.


Hingham lawmaker’s wife gets judgeship

By Nancy Reardon Stewart
Patriot Ledger State House Bureau

BOSTON — Heather Marie Stone Bradley will be a Plymouth County judge, but half of the Governor’s Council says she’s unqualified and doesn’t deserve the job.

Heather Bradley, the wife of state Rep. Garrett Bradley, D-Hingham, narrowly won approval this afternoon from the eight-member council, which confirms all of the governor’s judicial nominees.

The council had a tie vote, so Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, who serves as chair and is usually a non-voting member, cast a rare vote to break the tie.

Heather Bradley’s nomination has been controversial after The Patriot Ledger reported that her husband has donated heavily to Gov. Deval Patrick, Murray and the state Democratic Party. Several Governor’s Council members also expressed concern over the political contributions at Heather Bradley’s nomination hearing last month.

She first applied for a judgeship in East Boston in 2008. She applied for the current Plymouth County position in May 2009.

Since that first application three years ago, Rep. Bradley and his campaign have made $39,775 in political donations. More than half of that – or $20,575 – went to Patrick, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray and the state Democratic Party.

Councilor Kelly Timilty received $100 from Rep. Bradley in September and was asked to recuse herself from voting, but she refused.

When asked to refrain, Timilty said, “I will not.”

Timilty voted to approve Heather Bradley’s nomination.

Three of the four dissenting members rose to explain their vote.

Heather Bradley most recently has led the forfeiture unit of the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office.

Councilor Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney said she researched the job and found that over the last five years, the office has seen only 99 forfeiture cases.

“Only one forfeiture case has gone to trial in the past five years, lasting one hour,” she said.

Councilor Jennie Caissie said she believes Heather Bradley lacks exposure to many areas of law and had concerned over her lack of civil experience.

She also said that the political contributions “create the appearance this judgeship was bought and paid for.”

Councilor Charles Cipollini, who said she is “grossly unqualified,” said he plans to file a complaint with the state Ethics Commission over the possible tie between the political donations and her nomination.