Vermont, celebrated for its scenic landscapes, forward-thinking politics, and minimal crime, harbors a concealed underbelly of corruption that has persistently haunted the state over the years.
As per a recent examination by Best Life, Vermont ranks as the most corrupt state in the U.S., earning a perfect Corruption Index Score of 100 out of 100.
This score is determined by various factors, including the per capita count of public corruption convictions, reported violations by medical providers, the effectiveness of the state’s anti-corruption measures, and the overall integrity score of the state.
About Burlington
One of the notable instances of corruption in Vermont centers around Burlington, the state’s largest city and the residence of Senator Bernie Sanders. Over the years, Burlington has faced various scandals encompassing fraud, embezzlement, bribery, and nepotism.
Several key figures in the city’s past, including former mayor Gordon Paquette, ex-city councilor Kurt Wright, former police chief Michael Schirling, and former developer Tony Pomerleau, have either faced accusations or been convicted of corrupt practices.
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Some Corruption Scandals in Vermont
One of the most egregious corruption scandals in Vermont’s history, and possibly the nation’s, centered around fraudulent activities within the EB-5 visa program in the Northeast Kingdom region, encompassing parts of Burlington.
Initially designed to boost the economy through investments by immigrant entrepreneurs leading to eventual green cards, the program saw allegations against developers Ariel Quiros and Bill Stenger.
They were accused of misappropriating $200 million out of the $350 million raised from immigrant investors for various projects under the visa program, including a ski resort, a biotechnology park, and a hotel.
By 2016, the 400 investors involved in these unfinished projects had yet to receive their promised green cards. In 2019, Quiros pleaded guilty to fraud charges and awaits sentencing, while Stenger is scheduled to stand trial in October 2021.
The EB-5 visa program fraud wasn’t the sole scandal to mar Burlington’s reputation. In 2018, the city’s electric department faced accusations of overbilling customers by $1.3 million over a three-year period.
Despite an admission of error and an apology from the department’s director, Neale Lunderville, some customers initiated a class-action lawsuit, alleging intentional and fraudulent overbilling.
In 2019, the city’s school district was discovered to have mishandled finances, resulting in a $3.6 million deficit. Superintendent Yaw Obeng resigned amidst the controversy, and the state auditor’s office launched an investigation into the district’s accounting practices.
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Corruption in Vermont’s Private Sector
Burlington’s issues with corruption extend beyond the public sector, reaching into the private domain. The city’s private sector has been implicated in dubious dealings, exemplified by the sale of Burlington Telecom, the municipal broadband network.
In 2017, the city council made the decision to sell the network to Schurz Communications, a private company headquartered in Indiana, for $30.8 million.
This transaction faced criticism from numerous residents and activists who contended that the network should either remain under public ownership and operation or be sold to a local cooperative.
The deal was also tainted by allegations of conflicts of interest, as some city councilors were found to have connections to Schurz Communications or its local partner, ZRF Partners.
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To Conclude
The picturesque perception of Vermont as a progressive sanctuary, boasting pristine landscapes and civic engagement, is sharply contradicted by the pervasive corruption unveiled in this investigation.
From the corridors of power in Burlington to the intricacies of both public and private financial dealings, corruption has taken root, casting a lingering shadow over the state’s reputed integrity.
While Vermont is not alone in confronting issues of corruption, the magnitude and nature of its scandals necessitate reflection and decisive action. Rebuilding public trust demands more than a mere acknowledgment of the problem; it requires proactive measures to fortify ethical standards, tighten financial regulations, and enhance public oversight.
These steps are essential to safeguard Vermont’s future and ensure that its cherished ideals are not merely a façade concealing a flawed reality.
The battle against corruption is an ongoing challenge, and Vermont’s journey serves as a cautionary tale for other ostensibly exemplary communities. Acknowledging the vulnerabilities lurking behind the idyllic façade is the initial step in addressing this systemic problem and charting a course toward a genuinely clean and just society.
