Ex-Gov. Patrick: I'll Forgo Paid Boston 2024 Consulting Job

Former Gov. Deval Patrick has decided to pass on a paid consultant job promoting the city's Olympic bid overseas.

“I intend to take a full-time position soon and to forego all outside consulting pay, including for Boston 2024," Patrick said in a statement released Thursday evening. "Because I think the Olympics could be good for the Commonwealth, I will continue to help as and when I can, but not for a fee.”

The statement came hours after Boston Mayor Marty Walsh told Boston Herald Radio he didn't think Patrick should be paid for promoting the Olympic bid.

Boston 2024, the privately funded group spearheading the effort, had said Patrick would be paid $7,500 each day he travels on behalf of the organization.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney has provided advice to Boston 2024, without being paid.

The Patrick pay news came right after WBUR released a new poll that found support for the Games had fallen to 36 percent among Boston area respondents.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom