Sharon law enforcement officials slapped with fines after one sneaked the opposite into expensive suite at Gillette 

Two Sharon law enforcement officials have been fined this month after one officer helped the opposite sneak into Gillette Stadium’s unique Putnam Membership with out tickets, based on the State Ethics Fee.

Officer Robert Awad was working a safety element on the Dec. 1, 2022, New England Patriots recreation when he helped officer John Avelar and a good friend enter the Putnam Membership, a “high-end indoor suite at Gillette Stadium the place followers can watch the sport from indoors, take pleasure in upscale meals and drinks, and entry unique out of doors seats,” the Ethics Fee stated in a press launch. 

Putnam Membership tickets are solely out there to most people as a part of season ticket packages that vary from $6,000 to $10,000 per season, the fee famous.

A number of weeks earlier than the sport, Avelar requested Awad — a brand new Sharon police officer on the time and nonetheless in his probationary interval — to get him and a good friend into the suite, based on the fee. Awad did as requested, and when a safety supervisor advised Awad to assist the safety staff discover and take away Avelar and his good friend, Awad reportedly responded, “What’s improper, don’t you want cops?” and, “Why don’t you belief me?”

Avelar and his good friend left the suite, and Awad was faraway from the safety element.

Each officers admitted to violating battle of curiosity regulation, which prohibits public workers from utilizing their place to acquire precious privileges for themselves or others which might be in any other case not correctly out there to them. Avelar additionally violated the regulation’s prohibition towards public workers soliciting or receiving precious, unwarranted advantages because of their place. 

Avelar and Awad every waived their proper to a listening to and have paid $8,000 and $4,000 civil penalties, respectively.

Per his disposition settlement, the Sharon Police Division suspended Awad for 3 days with out pay and prolonged his probationary interval for an extra 12 months, additionally barring him from working particulars at Gillette Stadium “till additional discover.” Awad additionally forfeited the “blue gentle allow” for his private car.

Sharon police suspended Avelar for 5 days with out pay and prohibited him from working Gillette particulars, based on his disposition settlement. Avelar additionally forfeited his visitors specialty stipend for 2 months. 

“This case is a reminder that public workers are prohibited from utilizing their official positions to get themselves and their buddies into sports activities and different leisure venues and occasions with out paying the admission value others should pay,” Ethics Fee Government Director David A. Wilson stated in an announcement.