A former deputy sheriff has been fined $65,000 after a state investigation revealed he auctioned a seized home to his wife, who later sold it for a significant profit. Floyd Teague, the ex-Bristol County Deputy Sheriff, faced a $40,000 civil penalty and $25,000 in damages for violating conflict of interest laws, according to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission.
Teague conducted a public auction where he placed an absentee bid on behalf of his wife for a modular home seized due to unpaid homeowners' association fees. The home was auctioned for $20,000, and his wife later sold it for an impressive $309,900.
State Ethics Commission Executive Director David Wilson emphasized the breach of public trust, stating, "When public employees act to enrich themselves and their families, they undermine public confidence in government institutions." Teague's actions included failing to require his wife to provide the necessary $5,000 cash or certified check to participate in the auction.
The auction attracted about a dozen attendees, and Teague announced the $20,000 bid without disclosing his wife's interest. Following the auction, he assisted his wife in renovating the home, which involved an additional $44,000 investment in improvements.
Teague's case highlights the strict prohibitions against state employees engaging in transactions where they or their family members stand to gain financially, underscoring the importance of integrity in public service.