BOSTON — A Massachusetts state lawmaker is under scrutiny for the expensive sunglasses he gave out as gifts to his colleagues during the holidays.
Sen. Brian Joyce gave everyone in the 40-member state Senate gold-plated designer sunglasses, customized with each senator’s name engraved on the side.
But the glasses that retail for more than $200 may violate state ethics rules for the cut-rate price Joyce paid for them.
Joyce originally negotiated a price of just $50 per pair from the manufacturer, Randolph Engineering.
Politicians, according to state ethics rules, are not supposed to receive discounts not available to others.
The Milton Democrat’s chief of staff told The Boston Globe via email that Joyce “paid Randolph Engineering’s rate available to bulk purchasers, plus applicable taxes,” for a total of $3,641.18, or $74.50 per pair.
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