FBI, IRS raid Canton law office of state Senator Brian Joyce

Boston Globe ^ | 2/18/16 | Milton J. Valencia, Astead Herndon and Andrea Estes

[Impala64ssa]

Federal investigators Wednesday raided the Canton law office of state Senator Brian A. Joyce, a former assistant majority leader who has been under fire for alleged ethical lapses, including accepting free or discounted services and charging his campaign fund for a family party.

In early afternoon, more than a dozen FBI agents entered the law office building in downtown Canton as passersby stopped to watch. The agents removed dozens of boxes that appeared to contain records during a raid that lasted for several hours.

"The FBI and the IRS are conducting court-authorized activity in connection with an ongoing investigation," said Kristen Setera, an FBI spokeswoman.

A person familiar with the investigation said the raid stemmed from recent Boston Globe stories detailing several ways in which Joyce allegedly used his position as a senator to benefit himself and his law practice.

Federal and state laws prohibit public officials from using their position to get things for themselves.

Joyce's attorney defended the Milton Democrat and said that he has been cooperating with various investigations that have been ongoing, and will cooperate with the new federal probe.

"It is unfortunate that recent stories in the media appear to have sparked an investigation," said attorney Howard M. Cooper in a prepared statement. "Senator Joyce has been cooperating with each inquiry that has taken place to date resulting from those stories and believes that he has done absolutely nothing wrong."

Joyce is already under investigation by the state Ethics Commission and he recently settled allegations of improper use of his campaign fund with another agency. Under an agreement made public last month by the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, Joyce agreed to pay nearly $5,000 for tapping campaign funds to pay for his son’s 2014 high school graduation party, the Globe reported.

[Impala64ssa]

And for the record, since this is being so downplayed Sen Joyce is a ****^^^^DEMOCRAT!^^^^**** While $5k for his son's grad party and using his position to have his dry cleaning bills done on the house may seem like small potatoes, rules are rules, aren't they. If he were a Repub, on the other hand it would be touted as the worst ethics violation since Watergate.

[TexasCajun]

Another game of ‘Name That Party’.

[TigerClaws]

No party mentioned in criminal = Democrat.

Just like “group of teens” in a crime story = blacks.

[missnry]

You can ALWAYS tell when story is about a DEMOCRAT when the party affiliation is left off in the opening paragraph and title! Every time! - It must be in the Media Activist’s journalism handbook.

[Red Badger]

I’ll take ‘Corrupt Democrat Politicians’ for $500, Alex.................

[C210N]

He follows a long sucession of fine MA state Sinators.

[stephenjohnbanker]

An average day in Boston politics : )

[Red Badger]

Massachusetts was once one of the most conservative states around. Used to be ‘Banned in Boston’ was a slogan for marketing dirty novels or movies. Now it’s totally 180° out of that........................

[Red Badger]

Massachusetts was once one of the most conservative states around. Used to be ‘Banned in Boston’ was a slogan for marketing dirty novels or movies. Now it’s totally 180° out of that........................

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

It is mentioned in the article ;
—Joyce’s attorney defended the Milton Democrat —

[bert]

[Lockbox]

Small time Grifters give real politicians a bad name. There are so many large opportunities which are muddied by the small minded.

[kcvl]

I hope that is not all the guy did or the FBI should put more of their efforts into the Clintons who are still walking around free to do whatever the hell they please.

[dragnet2]

Small time Grifters give real politicians a bad name.

BS