Boston’s top tourism official has been arrested and indicted on charges relating to ‘union-related extortion.’
Kenneth Brissette, 52 was placed on paid leave as he made an appearance in the U.S. District Court in South Boston.
Investigators allege the director of the Boston Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment pressured the Boston Calling music festival production company to hire unionized workers to work at a music festival.
The company had already contracted and hired non-union workers, the indictment said.
"Nevertheless, Brissette allegedly insisted that half of the company’s labor force consist of union members, although he ultimately agreed that eight members of Local 11 would suffice," U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz’s office said in a statement.
Brissette also separately pressured a TV production company filming a reality television show in Boston to hire union workers.
"When the chief of operations for Boston and the director of the Massachusetts state film office learned that Brissette had been pressuring a non-union film company to hire union workers, they separately told Brissette that it was not legal to withhold city permits based on a company’s union or non-union status," the statement said.
Brissette’s legal team called the charges ‘factually and legally flawed.’
"I intend to fight these false charges with everything at my disposal. I look forward to my ultimate vindication in the United States District Court, he said after pleading not guilty.
Brissette could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 if found guilty.
