29/07/2026
Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance today issued the following statement after reports that John Barros, the Interim Executive Director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), is divesting his ownership interest in the controversial $2 billion Springfield courthouse redevelopment project.
Barros is business partners with Conan Harris, the husband of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. Together with Suffolk Construction, their partnership was awarded a 40-year contract valued at approximately $2 billion.
"John Barros and Conan Harris, the husband of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, should immediately disclose whether Barros is divesting because the State Ethics Commission required it or because he is attempting to get ahead of an obvious ethics problem. Massachusetts taxpayers deserve complete transparency," said Paul D. Craney, Executive Director of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.
"Divesting after the contract has already been awarded does nothing to answer the fundamental question: Were conflicts of interest allowed to influence who received this taxpayer-funded contract? The appearance of impropriety does not disappear simply because someone sells their stake after the fact. Taxpayers deserve to know whether this procurement was conducted fairly and without political influence.
Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz, and Interim MCCA Executive Director John Barros are expected to be in Springfield on Thursday. Governor Healey should use that opportunity to withdraw this contract award before taxpayers are locked into a $2 billion commitment that is already raising serious ethics questions," Craney continued.
"This administration cannot continue to dismiss legitimate concerns about politically connected insiders benefiting from massive taxpayer-funded contracts. The public expects accountability—not excuses, talking points, or gaslighting. If the Healey administration is confident this contract was awarded fairly, it should have no hesitation in starting the process over through a transparent procurement that restores public confidence. Massachusetts taxpayers deserve nothing less," concluded Craney.
