Boston Columnist Beaned

Following revelations that columnist Charles Chieppo had a second contract with the Massachusetts state government, in addition to the $60-per-hour environmental affairs position, the Boston Herald "decided to sever" their relationship. Chieppo disclosed the environmental contract to the Herald's editorial page editor, but not his $100-per-hour position with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Chieppo said "it did not occur to him" to alert the paper to his convention center work. The director of Northeastern University's School of Journalism said Chieppo "couldn't go near two big subject areas" - the environment and tourism - "without creating a conflict." Chieppo previously "earned a six-figure salary as a top fiscal aide" for Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and worked at the conservative think tank the Pioneer Institute.