New developments exposed more of O'Ds harassment. By this time, O'D had left the MSP and moved to the MBTA as Chief of that agency. In the Spring of 1996, women who had worked for him at MBTA filed discrimination complaints with the MCAD. The Boston Herald published articles revealing the details. (See Chapter 20) Meanwhile, as a result of these developments, a key witness came forward for Joan. Jean had worked with Joan at the MSP under O'D and had inside information about Joan's case. Jean gave the following statement in December 1996:
My name is Jean (Last name redacted). I started working for the Department of Public Safety in 1977 at 1010 Commonwealth Ave in Boston. I worked for a while in the payroll dept. and then moved to the identification department. Sometime in 1979, I was transferred to work in the Major Crime Unit for Colonel O'Donovan.
Within approximately six months in the Major Crime Unit, I had a confrontation with Colonel O'Donovan that upset me so, that I cried at night and couldn't sleep for a week. He called me into his office and said, " (Trooper 1-name redacted) has reported to me that you are nothing but a "fuck off". I was appalled at what I had just been called. I said, "I don't appreciate what you just called me and I would like you to bring Trooper 1 in here right now so I can confront him. My work is all up to date so I don't understand these accusations". Colonel O'Donovan then said, "I'm telling you that when you're working for me, I expect loyalty. You are never at your desk." I stated "All my work is done, and the only time I leave my desk is to get mail, to go the ladies room, or to cover the switchboard, which I'm often asked to do. Otherwise, I'm at my desk." He stated again that he expected loyalty, but never explained what he meant by that. He also never told me of any work that hadn't been completed, or referred to anything I'd ever done wrong. Colonel O'Donovan then went on to say, "I'm going to have you watched." I told him, "You don't have to watch me, I'm doing my job." He then said very angrily, "I'm gonna make sure. I'll be watching you everyday." I was so upset that I left his office in tears.
Lieutenant 1 (name redacted) (who I also worked for) saw me run out of Colonel O'Donovan's office in tears. He went into his office and started yelling at him so loud, I could hear it out in the hall. He yelled at him, "What right do you have to talk to that woman the way you just did? You talk about loyalty and you don't even know what loyalty is!"
As I left his office and was going back to my desk, I was so upset that I said out loud, "He's a frigging asshole!" I don't normally use that type of language, but I felt so degraded.
The next morning I was called into his office again. He said, "I heard that remark you made when you left my office last night. If you ever say anything like that again, you won't be working for me". I said, "If you talk to me the way you did last night, I don't want to work for you!" I then went and confronted Trooper 1 about being referred to as a "fuck off" and he denied ever saying anything like that.
Lieutenant 1 confided in me the conversation he had with Colonel O'Donovan. He told me that Colonel O'Donovan told him I wasn't wrapped too tightly. Lt. 1 said he argued by saying, "She does alot of work for me without any problems." Then Lt. 1 said to me, "He's the one who'd not wrapped too tightly! He talks about loyalty and he doesn't know the meaning of the word!" Lt. 1 also informed me that Trooper 1 was Colonel Donovan's "Stool pigeon".
Everyday from then on, he would pass the office and give me a snide look, letting me know he was watching me. I was so bothered by this treatment and feeling of paranoia that it produced that I once turned to a visiting New Jersey police officer and asked, "Are you watching me too?" I hated to go to work with the feeling that I would be constantly watched. Within a few days, I requested a transfer, and within two weeks, I was transferred to the Deputy Commissioners office.
A couple of years later, while I was working for Commissioner (last name redacted), Colonel O'Donovan suddenly became very friendly with me. He was trying to use me to get information about the goings on in the Commissioner's office. I became aware that the Commissioner and others did not like Colonel O'Donovan nor did they want him to know certain information. He obviously thought he could obtain the information he wanted through me. He would call my extension at least twice a day asking for information. I never gave him any, but he never stopped trying. When that didn't work, he would come into my office, lean over my desk and whisper, "I'm so horny today!" I was repulsed by this but I tried to ignore him. I was afraid to confront him, but I did confide in Lt. 1 how disgusted I was. Lt. 1 said, "He makes me sick. You go right into the commissioner's office and tell him!" I didn't tell the Commissioner because I didn't want Colonel O'Donovan to get back at me again. Colonel O'Donovan continued to come into my office and whisper to me "I'm so horny!" at least two to three times per week until he left the Dept of Public Safety.
Sometime in 1981, a trooper named Joan Farrell talked to me about problems she was having with Colonel O'Donovan. I remember she was trying to get a transfer and he wouldn't allow it. She filed a complaint against him with the Commission Against Discrimination. She asked me to file with her. I was afraid that if I did, Colonel O'Donovan would do something to retaliate. I was getting closer to retirement, and I didn't want any problems. Trooper Farrell won her case in MCAD and shortly thereafter, the talk around the second floor (where I worked) was that Colonel O'Donovan had alot of power taken away from him.
Sometime in 1989, I was processing retirement papers for Joan. I remember the paperwork being from the Attorney General's office. Lt. 1 told me "They're not going to give it to her". He was referring to the retirement. He seemed really annoyed. He was always disgusted with the way Colonel O'Donovan dealt with people. I said to Lt. 1, "That's lousy!" Major 1 (name redacted) also said something regarding Joan's retirement. I don't remember the exact words but I do remember his attitude. It was something like, "She's not going to win again. We're not letting a woman get one up on us again." Major 1 worked for Colonel O'Donovan.
In late May within a day or two after the article about John O'Donovan was printed in the Herald, I started receiving phone calls. Someone would be on the phone, but they wouldn't speak. This continued at least once a day for three or four weeks with the calls coming at all times, even late at night.
Also, I received a called from Co-worker 1 (name redacted), who worked with me and who I knew to be friendly with John O'Donovan. She was trying to get me to change my mind about testifying.
Then a short while later, I received a call from Co-worker 2 (name redacted), another secretary who had worked with me. I also knew Co-worker 2 to be friendly with O'Donovan. She called me twice within a days time trying to pressure me into not testifying. She said things like, "They're gonna drag you through the mud. Now you're going to need a lawyer. Her final call to me she implored, "Promise me you won't". I told her I would not, just to stop her from pressuring me so.
Then I heard from Co-worker 3 (named redacted) who had also worked at the State Police Headquarters with me. She informed me that she was approached by a Trooper 2 (name redacted). He told her to relay to me that I was being used an had better watch out. He also asked, "What right does she have to go against O'Donovan?"
I was truly frightened by all the calls. I also feel that Co-worker 3 and Trooper 2 were put up to it by John O'Donovan.
During the time I worked for the Commission I was placed in a position where I had to file known false worker's compensation claims. I filed these papers for Mr and Mrs 1 (names redacted), daughter and son-in-law to Executive Assistant 1 (name redacted), executive assistant to the Commissioner. Both Mr and Mrs 1 continued for a period of years to collect on injuries that I knew to be false. In particular, I remember Co-worker 4 (name redacted) who came to me speaking disgustedly of the subject. It was common knowledge, but it was allowed to continue.
I think it's about time that Mr. O'Donovan is brought forward to face these charges and that his abusive ways are put to a stop once and for all. It's been going on for too many years.
signed: Jean
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