Fall River City Councilor Laura Sampson should recuse herself in Police Chief Furtado vote

Interim Fall River Police Department (FRPD) Chief Kelly Furtado contract to officially become Chief is scheduled to go before the City Council for a second time on Tuesday, 22 April. This attempt comes two weeks after the City Council voted 5-4 to not approve her contract, instead with a 9-0 vote requested the Mayor to broaden the scope of the search and use a more independent search committee. Word is one City Councilor has changed their vote and Mayor Paul Coogan has opted instead to resubmit Chief Furtado.

There are some clear conflicts of interest involving City Councilor Laura Sampson (who is also referred to as Laura-Jean Sampson and formerly Laura Washington) who has several ties to the FRPD with her brother head of the main police union.

First, she was was married to police officer Steven Washington whose evidence box at her home caused issues with the then FRPD Cheif Jeff Cardoza. In December 2020, Chief Jeff Cardoza personally retrieved two boxes of evidence—including sexual assault files and tagged cocaine—from Sampson’s house. An internal investigation concluded the mishandling was a mistake, with Officer Washington receiving only verbal counseling. The incident was used against Police Chief Cardoza who eventually resigned for health reasons. Sampson did nothing wrong, but it shows her connection to the police department before she even became a Fall River City Councilor.

Second, and most importantly, Laura’s brother Officer Jonathan Ferreira is the head of Fall River Police Patrolman’s Association (FRPD’s primary union). The union’s vote of no confidence in Chief Gauvin in 2024 under Ferreira’s union leadership resulted in Gauvin being demoted back to Captain and Furtado becoming interim Chief. Furtado and Gauvin have had a long history of personally clashing and Furtado is seen as being much friendly with the union and Ferreira.

An investigation of misconduct into Gauvin immediately followed Chief Furtado’s promotion to interim chief and it details a rift between Ferreira and Gauvin over the years, mostly over crime data. Ferreira alleges that Gauvin changed the crime tracking system to make it appear crime was down and that was dangerous for patrolmen. After the union voted no confidence in Chief Gauvin, Ferreira alleges an investigation of “wasting union time” was initiated by then Chief Gauvin, possibly in retaliation. Ferreira also stated during Gauvin’s investigation of misconduct (that resulted in his firing) that as Union President his relationship became very rocky with Gauvin as Chief. It’s clear that Furtado as chief could benefit Councilor Sampson’s brother more than having Gauvin in that spot. (Note: At the time of this article being published, I did not have a conversation with any of FRPD union reps to include Ferreira, so this is my opinion.)

A look into Massachusetts conflict of interest laws state:

“Participation in Matters: Employees may not participate in matters where they, or their immediate family, have a financial interest, or where their employer, or a business they are affiliated with, has a financial interest.” 

Finally, Councilor Sampson is also the CEO of We Care Health and Wellness. This is her full-time professional role, as indicated by her LinkedIn profile. I’ve been told from a reliable source, though unconfirmed at this time, that at least one Fall River police officer has used or uses We Care Health and Wellness Services. Would Sampson’s company benefit from her brother as union Chief and a new police Chief more friendly to the union? We reached out to Councilor Sampson last week through phone and text, but she hasn’t responded back. Again, Massachusetts law is clear:

“Participation in Matters: Employees may not participate in matters where they, or their immediate family, have a financial interest, or where their employer, or a business they are affiliated with, has a financial interest.” 

Massachusetts conflict of interest laws aim to prevent conflicts between private interests and public duties for state, county, and municipal employees with the goal of fostering integrity and trust in public service. As far as I know, Councilor Sampson nor Mayor Coogan have checked with the State to get an opinion. Instead, she voted two weeks ago and appears to be set to take a vote tonight.

Here are some of the Massachusetts conflict of interest key principles for politicians that likely arise on this vote for Furtado’s contract:

• Undivided Loyalty: Public employees are expected to prioritize the public interest over their own personal or financial interests. 
• No Misuse of Position: Public employees cannot use their official positions to gain unwarranted privileges or benefits for themselves or others. 
• Financial Interests: Employees cannot have a direct or indirect financial interest in contracts made by their government if the government is also a party to the contract. 
• Participation in Matters: Employees may not participate in matters where they, or their immediate family, have a financial interest, or where their employer, or a business they are affiliated with, has a financial interest.

It’s clear that Councilor Sampson has deep ties to the FRPD. She was married (now divorced) to a FRPD officer, her brother is President of the union that wanted Gauvin out and that could benefit her brother and could benefit Councilor Sampson’s business. She should consider recusing herself tonight.