LAWRENCE – The whistle-blower who first complained to authorities that a city-owned printing press was being used to churn out political brochures said yesterday that he had no idea investigators would zero in on his brother.
Samuel Reyes, 38, is the School Committee member who tipped off the Office of Campaign and Political Finance and other authorities that the school’s industrial printing press was allegedly not just producing report cards.
The Herald, citing sources, reported Friday that investigators are focusing their probe on embattled Lawrence Superintendent of Schools Wilfredo T. Laboy and mayoral candidate Israel Reyes, 36 – Samuel’s younger brother – as having potentially violated campaign finance rules.
“I’m very disappointed that my brother’s name is linked to this investigation,” the elder Reyes said.
Israel Reyes said last week that he is confident his name will be cleared.
The elder Reyes said that when he first complained to investigators that three fellow members of the School Committee allegedly had campaign materials printed by the school printer, he had no inkling that his brother might be linked to the probe.
“It’s my brother who’s going to have to answer to the citizens of Lawrence, unfortunately,” Samuel Reyes said of Israel.
Asked whether he would vote for his brother for mayor, Reyes said, “I’m not supporting anybody for mayor at this time.”
