By: Joe Strupp The editor of the Lowell (Mass.) Sun, which published a controversial special-section tribute to a former congressman last year that included a questionable advertising arrangement, has reportedly bought the former politician's home.
Jim Campanini, the Sun's editor, reportedly bought the home of Martin T. Meehan, The Boston Globe reported in a story today in which it was also speculated Campanini may have gotten it at a discounted price.
"It was the latest turn in an increasingly tangled relationship between the newspaper and the Democrat," the Globe reported. "The newspaper and Meehan's staff collaborated to sell ads for the special section, with a share of proceeds benefiting a charity named for Meehan."
Neither Meehan, the former congressman who is now chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, or Campanini could be contacted for the story, the Globe said. It reported that the transaction occurred Sept. 28.
"According to records filed with the Middlesex North County Registry of Deeds, Campanini purchased Meehan's 3,000-square-foot house for $585,000," the paper reported. "The price for the stone Colonial-style house was below the $598,400 value assessed by the city of Lowell. The real-estate website Zillow, which uses an algorithm to compare a property to similar ones nearby, estimates its value at $618,895."
In December 2006, the Sun published a section on Meehan's 50th birthday, as he "reflects on his life, local roots, and the commitment to public service," Sun publisher Mark O'Neil wrote in a letter to prospective advertisers, according to the Globe.
The paper added that "a share of revenues from sales of ads in the section would go to the Marty Meehan Educational Foundation and identified a staff member in Meehan's Lowell office as a contact." The Globe also reported: "Among the paid tributes was a full-page ad from the Lowell Five Cent Savings bank, which said, 'The Lowell Five wishes Congressman Meehan a Happy 50th Birthday!'"
Nine months later, according to documents, the same bank issued Campanini a $200,000 mortgage on the house, the Globe reported.
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