Saundra Graham
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State Representative Saundra Graham speaks at a press conference. Graham defends herself against charges of a conflict of interest involving the housing situation of her son. She talks about her son's situation. Graham acknowledges that she has filed an amended ethics commission form for the House of Representatives. David Williams stands outside Graham's offices in the Massachusetts State House. Williams interviews Gene Hartigan (WEEI) about the Graham story. Hartigan accuses Graham of grandstanding because she has accused the media of racial bias in covering the story. Hartigan questions the facts put forth by Graham and wonders if she perjured herself in front of the rent control board. Hartigan says that he could not reach Graham or members of her family to question them about the story
1:00:05: Visual: Saundra Graham (State Representative) speaks at a press conference. Graham says that her son is a computer operator; that he was voluntarily laid off in May. A reporter notes that a stove purchased by Graham arrived at her son's house. Graham says that she would buy her son more than a stove if he would move out of her house. A reporter asks Graham why she filed an amended ethics commission form. Graham says that the issues discusses here today were technical issues. Graham says that she wants her constituents to know that there was no conflict of interest. A reporter asks Graham if she has a copy of the amended form. A moderator says that the form is available through the ethics commission. Shots of reporters in the audience. The moderator closes the press conference. The reporters prepare to leave. 1:02:17: V: Shot of the exterior doors of the Graham's offices. Signage on the door indicates that Graham shares office space with James Miceli (State Representative, the Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus, and the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators. 1:03:03: V: Footage of Gene Hartigan (WEEI) being interviewed by David Williams outside of Graham's offices. Williams notes that Graham is backing away from earlier accusations against the media; that Graham had called the media coverage racist. Hartigan calls Graham's accusations "ludicrous." Hartigan says that there is no reference to race in his transcripts; that there are no references to any of the organizations to which Graham belongs. Hartigan says that a reporter must investigate questions about the performance of public officials; that race or gender does not enter into the investigation. Williams asks Hartigan to talk about the newsworthy aspects of the story. Hartigan says that Graham should not have brought the issue of race into the story. Hartigan accuses Graham of "grandstanding." Hartigan says that Graham admitted to filing amended ethics forms from 1984; that there are six other years in question. Hartigan says that Saundra Graham has admitted that Rhonda Graham (daughter of Saundra Graham) was not living at home for a period of time; that this fact contradicts testimony given under oath by two family members at a rent-control hearing. Hartigan wonders if there was perjury in front of the Rent Control Board. Williams asks Hartigan if he is satisfied with Graham's explanations of why she was not available for interviews. Hartigan says that he is not satisfied. Hartigan says that he made it clear to Saundra Graham that he was available for meetings anytime. Hartigan says that he told Graham about the allegations in order to give her a chance to answer them. Hartigan says that Saundra Graham has said that she is a strong supporter of ethics filings. Hartigan says that Saudra Graham's past record does not show that she is a strong supporter of ethics filings. Williams closes the interview. The crew takes cutaway shots of the Williams and Hartigan. Hartigan describes his efforts at reaching members of the Graham family for comment. Williams asks about the actions of the Cambridge Rent Control Board in this case. Hartigan says that the case is "strange;" that he does not understand why the information in the case is "protected."
1:00:05: Visual: Saundra Graham (State Representative) speaks at a press conference. Graham says that her son is a computer operator; that he was voluntarily laid off in May. A reporter notes that a stove purchased by Graham arrived at her son's house. Graham says that she would buy her son more than a stove if he would move out of her house. A reporter asks Graham why she filed an amended ethics commission form. Graham says that the issues discusses here today were technical issues. Graham says that she wants her constituents to know that there was no conflict of interest. A reporter asks Graham if she has a copy of the amended form. A moderator says that the form is available through the ethics commission. Shots of reporters in the audience. The moderator closes the press conference. The reporters prepare to leave. 1:02:17: V: Shot of the exterior doors of the Graham's offices. Signage on the door indicates that Graham shares office space with James Miceli (State Representative, the Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus, and the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators. 1:03:03: V: Footage of Gene Hartigan (WEEI) being interviewed by David Williams outside of Graham's offices. Williams notes that Graham is backing away from earlier accusations against the media; that Graham had called the media coverage racist. Hartigan calls Graham's accusations "ludicrous." Hartigan says that there is no reference to race in his transcripts; that there are no references to any of the organizations to which Graham belongs. Hartigan says that a reporter must investigate questions about the performance of public officials; that race or gender does not enter into the investigation. Williams asks Hartigan to talk about the newsworthy aspects of the story. Hartigan says that Graham should not have brought the issue of race into the story. Hartigan accuses Graham of "grandstanding." Hartigan says that Graham admitted to filing amended ethics forms from 1984; that there are six other years in question. Hartigan says that Saundra Graham has admitted that Rhonda Graham (daughter of Saundra Graham) was not living at home for a period of time; that this fact contradicts testimony given under oath by two family members at a rent-control hearing. Hartigan wonders if there was perjury in front of the Rent Control Board. Williams asks Hartigan if he is satisfied with Graham's explanations of why she was not available for interviews. Hartigan says that he is not satisfied. Hartigan says that he made it clear to Saundra Graham that he was available for meetings anytime. Hartigan says that he told Graham about the allegations in order to give her a chance to answer them. Hartigan says that Saundra Graham has said that she is a strong supporter of ethics filings. Hartigan says that Saudra Graham's past record does not show that she is a strong supporter of ethics filings. Williams closes the interview. The crew takes cutaway shots of the Williams and Hartigan. Hartigan describes his efforts at reaching members of the Graham family for comment. Williams asks about the actions of the Cambridge Rent Control Board in this case. Hartigan says that the case is "strange;" that he does not understand why the information in the case is "protected."
