In Massachusetts, the politics of biotechnology is something of a blood sport. The new chief of the state's biotech council, Robert K. Coughlin, is mounting a defense against charges that he is guilty of a conflict of interest. The conflict, critics say, lies in negotiating for the job while he was an aide for the governor, working on some significant biotech initiatives. It didn't help that he waited six weeks to disclose the job talks. The job pays up to $500,000 a year. Coughlin replaced Thomas Finneran, a former political heavyweight who very slowly tendered his resignation after agreeing to plead guilty to obstruction charges.
- read the article from The Boston Globe
Related Articles:
Massachusetts biotech council taps new president. Report
Mass. Bio's Finneran takes a felony plea deal. Report
Finneran resigns from council. Report
Finneran's reign at Mass Bio may soon end. Report