I-Team: Winthrop Harbormaster To Resign After Ethics Violations

WINTHROP (CBS) - Winthrop will be looking for a new Harbormaster.

The Winthrop Town Manager tells the I-Team, that Charles Famolare has agreed to resign and will retire this week. Chief Correspondent Joe Shortsleeve says Famolare was found guilty of serious ethics violations last month.

In May 2011, Charles Famolare told the I-Team, "I do an outstanding job as Harbormaster and I am very proud of my accomplishments there."

At the time, the I-Team learned that Winthrop's $61,000 a year Harbormaster was under investigation by the state for charging work done on the dock at his waterfront home to the taxpayer.

Documents obtained by the I-Team suggested finger piers installed at the Famolare dock were paid for by a company working on a public contract at Winthrop's Town Pier.

At the time, Shortsleeve asked Famolare, "Do you have any record of payment for the piers?"

He responded, "I can't answer that question. It is pending matter and I have to respect the process."

But last month the State Ethics Commission found him guilty and fined him the maximum of $2000.00 for, "Using his position as Harbormaster to secure the free provision and installation of finger piers."

The commission said the piers were worth as much as $10,425 dollars.

The I-Team spoke to Charles Famolare on the phone Monday and he told Joe Shortsleeve that he has not decided yet whether he will resign.

However, the Town Manager, Jim McKenna, made it very clear that it is a done deal and it will be official this Saturday September 22nd.