Wednesday, December 24, 2008

MBC's Bob Coughlin fined $10K in ethics probe

By Marc Songini

Massachusetts Biotechnology Council president and CEO Robert Coughlin has agreed to pay a $10,000 fine to settle a state Ethics Commission conflict of interest probe.

For over a year, Coughlin was being investigated for allegedly breaking Ethics Commission rules by seeking the MBC’s top slot while also serving as Gov. Deval Patrick’s undersecretary of business development. In that role, he was charged with overseeing biotech business initiatives.

The probe, at least for a time, raised questions about how effective a president he could for the MBC. Coughlin was upbeat about ending the probe. “I’m glad to have this matter resolved,” he said in a statement issued via e-mail on Wednesday. “I have a great job and I love coming to work every day to lead an organization that represents not just jobs and growth opportunities, but most importantly improving the lives of patients. I look forward to building on the success we have achieved in 2008 and embracing the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the industry in 2009.”

Council chairman Mark Leuchtenberger also stated: “On behalf of the MBC board of directors, I am happy to have closure on this case. Bob Coughlin has done a great job leading the MBC and we are confident we made the right choice in appointing him president. We look forward to having Bob lead the organization in 2009 and beyond.”
 
The MBC appointed Coughlin to the role in August 2007.  Prior to serving in Patrick’s administration, he was a three-term legislator in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he also served as vice chairman of the Joint Committee on Revenue.

Coughlin’s predecessor Thomas Finneran resigned from the job in January 2007 after pleading guilty to obstructing justice by making false statements under oath. Finneran was a former speaker of the house.