Boston

Boston to Review of Zoning Board of Appeals Process After Bribery Scandal

Mayor Marty Walsh said Thursday the city would conduct a comprehensive review of its Zoning Board of Appeal process in the aftermath of a bribery scandal.

The review, which will be conducted by Sullivan & Worcester LLP, comes after federal charges were filed last week against John Lynch, a longtime city official who is pleading guilty to taking a bribe of $50,000.

"Since taking office, my Administration has worked to level the playing field in the development process in Boston, emphasizing transparency and ensuring broader access and input from the community," Walsh said in a statement.

"I recognize that there is always more work to be done to make the business of city government more accessible and transparent to everyone. I am hopeful that we will learn from the findings of this review how else we can better serve our constituencies and implement best practices used in the field."

The review will aim to institute stronger operational controls and accountability on the seven-member ZBA, the statement said.

Earlier this year, Walsh signed a municipal lobbying ordinance into law which requires lobbyists to register with the Boston City Clerk and file disclosure statements four teams each year. Prior to the ordinance, lobbyists were only required to register at the state level.

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