Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents Judge Cheryl Jacques—an appointee of Gov. Deval Patrick and former Democratic state senator—has been accused of violating the state’s conflict of interest law by trying to get her brother-in-law’s dental bill forgiven.
According to the Associated Press:
The Ethics Commission alleges that in 2010, Jacques contacted the office of her brother-in-law's dentist, identified herself as a judge, and demanded they write off a balance of more than $1,000.
When the office refused to forgive the entire bill, Jacques allegedly threatened to contact the insurance company to have the dental office removed as a provider. …
The conflict-of-interest law prohibits state employees from using their positions to get unwarranted privileges.