Hey, big spender

by Yvonne Abraham

It's illegal for any person to donate more than $500 to a mayoral campaign in a calendar year. But the law does not forbid "bundles" -- groups of individual donations from people in a company or family, often delivered at the same time.

Here is a list of the 10 largest contributions by groups of individuals since January 1, 1996.

Fidelity Investments: $9000

Employees and executives of Fidelity contributed more than $9000 to the Menino committee throughout 1996 and 1997. Although this is the most money donated by a group of people who work for the same company, it's not so surprising: Fidelity is flush, for one thing, and it has many, many employees.

Foley, Hoag & Eliot: $8000

Lawyers from this downtown law firm contributed $8000 to the mayor's campaign fund, $4000 of it this past April. The firm does some business with the city, and several donors are politically active. Joseph Maher, Menino's campaign finance chairman, is a partner here.

Mario Susi and Sons: $5500

Six members of the Susi family made contributions totaling $5500 over the last 21 months. These Dorchester excavators have a city contract to remove snow from Dorchester, and from sections of Roxbury and downtown. Last year, they were paid $588,430 for their snow removal services. They also do roadwork for the city. Mario Susi says he contributed to the mayor's campaign because "I like the job Menino is doing -- the amount of roadwork. If I see someone is doing a good job, I support them." Susi has also contributed to the campaign fund of Acting Governor Paul Cellucci.

United Liquors: $5500

Nine executives and family members of this alcohol distributor, based in West Bridgewater, made contributions totaling $4500 in June 1997. Raymond and Michael Tye, the company's owners, contribute to other political campaigns, too. Neither Raymond nor Michael Tye returned phone calls.

Old Town Trolley Tours: $4500

This trolley company, which also owns the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum, shuttles 350,000 people a year between 17 stops (some are on private property, some require city clearances) throughout the city. Nine company executives each donated $500 on a single day last June. Two of those donors had Florida addresses. Vice president of international sales Shawn Ford attended a fundraiser at socialite and convention marketer Dusty Rhodes's house, and donated to Menino's campaign because "Menino is one of the greatest mayors we've ever had. He believes in tourism." Company chief Chris Belland, who lives in Key West and who had Ford deliver his donation for him, says he supports Menino because "the city does the best they can to accommodate us."

The Lombardo Companies: $4500

The Lombardos of East Boston, who own a large public-function facility and nightclub in Randolph, a country club in Falmouth, and a recently completed supermarket in East Boston, are friends of Menino's. Four thousand dollars came courtesy of eight Lombardo family members and employees over a three-day period last October. Company vice president Vincent Lombardo says the family is "not that political, but obviously Tom Menino is a good friend of ours and he's done a tremendous job as mayor."

Cornerstone Corporation: $4500

Nine executives and family members of this development company each donated $500 on a single day in April 1996. Attempts to reach them were unsuccessful.

Cannon Design: $3500

This architectural firm has branches in Boston, New York, and Washington, DC. Its Boston commissions have been primarily for hospital and university buildings, but Cannon is also working on the new Polaroid headquarters in Cambridge. All seven $500 contributions, by Cannon executives and their relatives with local, New York, and Washington addresses, were made just seven weeks ago, on September 17. John Cannon, head of the company, did not recall making his contribution at first, but when pressed, remembered "going to a party sometime." He contributed, he says, "because our people in Boston tell me he's doing a very good job for the city." None of Cannon's people in Boston or Washington returned numerous phone calls.

Maloney Properties: $2950

Mark Maloney, head of this property-management company, is a friend of Menino's, sits on his elderly-housing task force, and won one of seven contracts when that housing was turned over to private management companies. His company is also doing the management and marketing of the subsidized West End Housing development. He did not return phone calls

Fleet Bank: $2850

Considering the fact that this is the region's largest bank, it's surprising that Fleet executives didn't contribute more to Menino's campaign funds.

Back to the numbers - On to Tom and Bob

Yvonne Abraham can be reached at yabraham[a]phx.com.

Kate Cunningham provided research assistance on this article.