Judge Orders Review Of Probation Dept. Promotions

A Massachusetts judge has ordered an arbitrator to review 11 job promotions made by former Probation Commissioner John O'Brien.

The ruling comes after a state employee union sued, alleging that O'Brien gave promotions to candidates based on their political connections, rather than on their qualifications.

The union also filed a federal lawsuit seeking monetary damages for employees passed over in favor of more politically connected applicants.

An earlier independent report concluded that hundreds of candidates were hired because of their political connections.

O'Brien is currently facing federal charges and a grand jury is reviewing possible charges against other probation officials and state lawmakers.