Former Conference Middle Authority chief spent large on journey

Vernon resigned in December after roughly a 12 months on the job amid a conflict with the MCCA board, and obtained a $500,000 severance cost. Neither aspect publicly provided a transparent motive on the time for his departure, which got here just some months after he obtained a full yearly bonus.

However, one newly disclosed e mail reveals that board chair Emme Handy reminded Vernon that he was notified in November that he was being investigated for “repeated personal misconduct and misuse of your position,” although specifics weren’t talked about within the e mail.

On the expense entrance, the MCCA maintains Vernon’s travel-and-entertainment spending within the first 10 months of 2025 was almost double the almost $25,000 budgeted for its govt director, a sum that’s 17 % of the overall journey and leisure finances for all employees. That’s additionally a giant improve from the manager director’s journey and leisure finances within the two prior years, when it was almost $12,000.

Vernon’s legal professional Jeff Robbins says his consumer operated inside an authorized finances, with expenditures linked to official work actions.

Robbins famous in an e mail to the Globe that the MCCA board had no drawback with Vernon’s efficiency when it voted to provide him his most bonus in August. He stated Vernon’s contract included a clause that allowed the board to fireplace him “with cause” however the MCCA gave him “a whole lot of money” as an alternative.

The MCCA’s investigation, Robbins stated, is “a feverish attempt to throw smoke in peoples’ eyes and attempt, if possible, to deflect attention from the rather serious issues that exist about the questionable conduct of its board chair and those whom she controls.”

Robbins already outlined a few of these considerations in a letter final month to Handy, stating Vernon was being directed to improperly ignore state procurement guidelines and make selections that might waste taxpayer funds.

Robbins now basically says the investigation was payback for Vernon elevating these considerations, and he claims that earlier MCCA leaders traveled extra often and extensively.

Handy declined to touch upon Tuesday when requested in regards to the nature of the investigation and likewise the considerations that Robbins raised within the letter about procurement. MCCA spokesperson Dave Silk additionally declined to supply particulars about why the board had been investigating Vernon, saying that it’s a matter that has been dealt with by the authority’s board.

Robbins stated Vernon is not sure what the investigation was about, and that Handy didn’t present a proof after Vernon requested for one. However, he stated an out of doors legislation agency did attain out on Handy’s behalf to inquire about three issues: Vernon’s MCCA bank card costs, tickets to a Nov. 15 event on the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, and a selected $100 donation to Governor Maura Healey that was charged to the MCCA in February.

Vernon stated the donation to Healey through the MCCA bank card as an alternative of Vernon’s private card was an accident made by Vernon’s private assistant, and was promptly fastened. Vernon obtained 4 tickets for the Hall of Fame occasion free of charge, however Robbins stated Vernon made a charitable donation to the corridor slightly than search MCCA reimbursement despite the fact that he was in enterprise discussions with the situation.

The information additionally detailed journey bills together with $3,400 for roundtrip Delta tickets to and from London and almost $1,800 for roundtrip tickets on Condor to go to Germany, together with a $3,000 cost for a keep on the Franklin Hotel in Edgartown and $2,100 for the Waldorf Hilton resort in London (although the receipts present he obtained a $722 credit score for that keep, in July). Other 2025 journeys included visits to Colorado in April, San Francisco and Atlanta in August, and Las Vegas in September.

“Every expenditure fell within standard parameters, and was connected to an official business activity,” Robbins stated. “Marcel never exceeded the budget, and no one ever suggested otherwise.”

In the top, Robbins stated, nothing turned of the legislation agency’s inquiries so far as he can inform. The proof, he stated, was that the MCCA didn’t outright fireplace Vernon however as an alternative gave him a severance cost if he agreed to not sue over his departure. Robbins additionally stated he has not obtained a response to his December letter itemizing governance points that Vernon was elevating.

Vernon’s departure is occurring at a time when the state Legislature’s racial fairness and inclusion committee is planning for a public hearing to debate variety efforts on the MCCA. The listening to, rescheduled not less than as soon as, had been slated to happen on Jan. 20, although a legislative aide says it has been postponed but once more.

The board final week picked John Barros, former financial improvement chief throughout Mayor Marty Walsh’s administration, to take over the $330,000-a-year job as interim govt director. The board’s common month-to-month assembly on Thursday was his first board assembly within the new function.

Jon Chesto might be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @jonchesto.