Report finds endemic corruption in state probation department; court orders firings of senior managers found responsible

The Supreme Judicial Court says corruption within the probation department is so bad it has ordered the removal of "those senior officials found most responsible for the reported abuses in the hiring and promotion processes."

The court today released a copy of independent counsel Paul Ware's inquiry into rampant disregard for the law within the department. Ware named names in his report, starting at the top:

Hiring and promotion processes have been fraudulently orchestrated from beginning to end in favor of connected candidates. The fraud begins top with Commissioner O'Brien, and it extends through most of the hierarchy of the Department who participate in interviewing candidates for hiring and promotion, and also involves administrative personnel who help implement a systematic fixing of hiring and promotion decisions. First Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Tavares is one of the Deputy Commissioners who is at the heart of perpetrating the sham selection process.

The court itself concluded:

The Report describes in careful detail a systemic abuse and corruption of the hiring and promotion processes of the Probation Department. Such abuse and corruption are intolerable and are a betrayal of the just expectations of the public and of employees in the judicial branch, including those in the Probation Department. Corrective measures must now be taken to repair the damage wrought by the conduct laid bare by Independent Counsel's investigation, and to restore the integrity of all aspects of the Probation Department. The widespread practices depicted in the Report also require that more be done to instill the values and principles that are fundamental to good government.

In addition to firings, the court said it will turn over all of Ware's documentation to the state attorney general and other authorities for possible criminal and disciplinary action and has appointed former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger to head up a task force on reforming the department's employment practices.

• Statement by the court
• Report of the Independent Counsel