Concerns over Walsh liquor board pick

Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s handpicked Licensing Board has tapped an attorney from a highpowered law firm that specializes in obtaining liquor licenses to head the board’s staff, which watchdogs say could make the board’s decisions look suspect.

“Historically there’s been a lot of funny business in connection with the licensing board in granting licenses,” said Joe Slavet, former head of the city’s Finance Commission. “It’s surprising to me, getting so close to the election, you would think Walsh would be a little more careful.”

The three-person Licensing Board appointed Lesley St. Germain, a former associate at McDermott, Quilty & Miller, to the $92,000-a-year executive secretary post last week. Walsh appointed board chairwoman Christine Puglini and member Keena Saxon in 2014 after purging the existing board, and appointed Liam Curran — who ran for Walsh’s old state rep seat in 2014 — in 2016.

“Lesley is an experienced licensing law attorney who has practiced in front of licensing authorities throughout the Commonwealth. We look forward to working with Attorney St. Germain,” Puglini said in a statement.

St. Germain’s fellow attorneys at McDermott, Quilty and Miller have represented dozens of Boston businesses before the Licensing Board, including Abe & Louie’s and Ned Devine’s. The executive secretary oversees the staff and acts as the board’s counsel and record keeper, but does not vote on applications.

St. Germain’s connections could make other applicants suspicious, Pioneer Institute research director Gregory Sullivan said.

“I think that her appointment complies with the law, but could be problematical if applicants for valuable liquor licenses come to believe that other applicants are getting some kind of advantage due to past allegiances of the board administrator,” Sullivan said.

St. Germain donated $100 to Walsh’s campaign last year, according to state records, and lives down the street from Walsh’s old Dorchester home, where his mother still lives.