Pressley's husband stays on $2 B courthouse deal as partner exits over ethics concerns
Conan Harris, spouse of Rep. Ayanna Pressley, remains a principal in the firm that secured a $2 billion Springfield courthouse lease while partner John Barros withdrew amid an ethics dispute.
The Liberty Junction team, which includes CoJo Real Estate, secured a $2 billion, 40-year lease to build a new courthouse in Springfield, Massachusetts. John Barros, serving as interim executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, stepped away from the partnership after ethics concerns were raised by two firms that lost the bid. Despite Barros’ exit, his former partner Conan Harris, husband of Rep. Ayanna Pressley, continues as a principal on the project.
The losing bidders, Jeb Balise and Dinesh Patel, have filed a lawsuit alleging conflicts of interest and are urging the award be set aside. A legislative hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11 to examine the procurement. Pressley herself is not accused of wrongdoing and says she had no involvement in the selection process. Harris’ financial disclosures list his business income in a broad range and indicate the couple earned up to $250,000 in rent from the venture.
Why it matters
The case highlights potential conflicts of interest in a major public-funded construction project and raises questions about political influence.
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