State Ends Robo Call Investigation

The state office responsible for investigating a rash of illegal automated phone calls and "push" poll before the June 14 special town election on a $2 million Proposition 2 1/2 override has ended its inquiry in the matter less than a month after the complaint was filed.

In a letter to Town Clerk Ellen O'Brien Cushman dated Aug. 3, Nisha Balsara, a legal intern with the Office of Campaign & Political Finance, wrote that while the office contacted Belmont residents for additional information who was responsible for the "robo" calls, "(u)nfortunately, no one was able to provide us with any additional information and at this time, all investigative avenues have been exhausted."

"As such, this matter may be closed at this time," wrote Balsara.

In her complaint dated Friday, July 16 to Greg Birne, general counsel of the Massachusetts Office of Campaigns and Political Finance, Cushman stated "an individual or group likely spent more than $250 in an effort to affect a ballot question but no one has filed with the Town Clerk's office."

Many override supporters angrily claimed the information provided in the anonymous calls and from a push poll were purposely misleading and deliberately distorted the facts concerning the impact of the override on town voters in a blatant attempt to defeat the measure.

The Proposition 2 1/2 override measure was set to raise $2 million to help fill a $3.2 million budget gap failed by 4 percent.

The substance of Cushman's complaint refers back to the final days of the Proposition 2 1/2 election.

She said the group One Belmont, which supported the override, had filed the necessary paperwork to act as a committee advocating a yes vote.

In the week leading up to the election, a recorded "push poll" from an unidentified source was send to Belmont residents. The text read:

"To override Proposition 2 1/2 to pay for among other items raises for town and school officials. The outcome of this vote could determine whether your property taxes will increase this year and subsequent years and by how much.

If the election were held today, would you vote yes to the override, if so, press one; to vote no, press 2."

Cushman notes in her complaint with the state, during the final weekend before the Monday vote, voters received another call, "this time strongly advocating a No vote. No individuals or group claimed responsibility or involvement."

She stated that One Belmont responded with its own robo calls supporting the measure.

Cushman said she worked with several media outlets "in an attempt to convince the individual(s) responsible to file the appropriate municipal campaign finance report within the 30 day post-election period.

She noted in the letter that 30 days have passed and no one has file the necessary paper work.