The event, held Sept. 15 at Legal Seafood in Park Square, was attended by some of the industry’s heavy hitters. It was organized by Ralph Kaplan, owner of Kappy’s Liquors, and Stephen V. Miller, a Boston lawyer who specializes in representing bars, liquor stores, and distributors before local licensing boards and the ABCC.
Miller, a partner in the Boston firm McDermott, Quilty & Miller, is also a registered State House lobbyist for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Massachusetts. Neither he nor Kaplan, whom the treasurer describes as a good friend, returned calls made to their offices seeking comment.
Grossman would not respond directly to questions this week over the appropriateness of his soliciting campaign donations from the businesses he oversees through the ABCC.
The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission has broad powers to regulate and control the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol in Massachusetts. It is often the final appeal on license suspensions imposed by local authorities. It enforces liquor franchise agreements and promulgates rules that have far-reaching impact on all aspects of the industry.
While the practice of seeking campaign funds from state-regulated industries is routine on Beacon Hill, public interest groups have long complained that it is a conflict of interest and gives the appearance of impropriety.
In his campaign for treasurer last year, Grossman emphasized a platform of transparency and promised to bring a new standard of reform to the office. Voters, he said on the night he won the Democratic nomination, “want the next treasurer to reform the way we do business in the Commonwealth.’’
A political aide released a statement yesterday saying the treasurer is not influenced by his political donors.
“No one should have any illusion that they would get special treatment from Treasurer Grossman or his office because of any campaign contributions,’’ said Joshua L. Dawson, director of Grossman’s political committee.
