Sharon Police Officers pay penalties for violating Conflict of Interest Law

Sharon Police Officers John Avelar and Robert Awad have paid $8,000 and $4,000 civil penalties, respectively, for violating the conflict of interest law, according to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission.

Avelar and Awad signed separate Disposition Agreements in which each admitted that, with Awad’s help, Avelar and Avelar’s friend entered the Gillette Stadium Putnam Club without tickets prior to a 2022 New England Patriots game for which Awad was working security, according to a press release from the Ethics Commission. Avelar and Awad each waived their right to a hearing.

When the matter was reported to the Sharon Police Department, an internal investigation was initiated. As a result of that review, both officers were disciplined. This matter was reported to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission and the discipline is noted in that database. Details on the actions taken are included in the disposition agreement documents, which are attached to this release, and available on the Ethics Commission website at www.mass.gov.

“We thank the Ethics Commission for their work and their ruling today,” Sharon Police Chief Stephen Coffey said. “Police being accountable to those we serve and accountable to the special obligations that come with our positions is vital to maintaining public trust.”

The Sharon Police Department is one of many local police departments whose officers work security details at Gillette Stadium during New England Patriots games.

Several weeks before a Dec. 1, 2022 game for which Awad was scheduled to work the security detail, Avelar asked Awad to get him and a friend into the Putnam Club during the game, the release stated.

The Putnam Club is a high-end indoor suite at Gillette Stadium where fans can watch the game from indoors, enjoy upscale food and drinks and access exclusive outdoor seats. Putnam Club tickets are only available to the general public as part of season ticket packages ranging from $6,000-$10,000 per season. At the time, Awad had been a Sharon Police Officer for less than a year and was still in his probationary period, according to the release.

On the night of the game, Awad met Avelar and his friend outside Gillette Stadium, then escorted them into the Putnam Club lobby knowing that they did not have tickets to enter the club, the release stated. Awad, who was in his Sharon Police uniform, told a security team member checking tickets that Avelar and the friend were “with [him]” and that Avelar was an off-duty police officer. Several minutes later, a security supervisor who witnessed the three enter the Putnam Club told Awad to help the security team find and remove Avelar and his friend. Awad responded, “What’s wrong, don’t you like cops?” and, “Why don’t you trust me?” Avelar and his friend left the Putnam Club, and Awad was removed from his security detail.

Avelar and Awad violated the conflict of interest law’s prohibition against public employees using their official positions to obtain valuable privileges for themselves or others that are not properly available to them, the release stated. Additionally, Avelar violated the conflict of interest law’s prohibition against public employees soliciting or receiving valuable, unwarranted benefits given for or because of their official position.

“This case is a reminder that public employees are prohibited from using their official positions to get themselves and their friends into sports and other entertainment venues and events without paying the admission price others have to pay,” Ethics Commission Executive Director David A. Wilson said. “A public employee must not use or try to use their official uniform, badge, work ID card, or public employee status to get into and enjoy places and events for free that others must buy tickets for.”