State Officials Investigating TV9 Board

The state is investigating allegations of discrimination filed against the Board of Directors of TV9.  Deborah Hoch and Kristen Montgomery, former board members, filed complaints with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) in Boston.

“They found the complaint valid,” Hoch said, noting an investigator has been assigned. Hoch appeared at the Seekonk Select Board’s November 15 meeting.

Hoch urged the board to hold off on a funding agreement with the TV9 Board of Directors until the Attorney General’s office releases their findings.

“They are concerned about the illegality of the board at TV9,” Hoch said, adding there may have been violations of the bylaws as well as “concerns of assets being misused.”

David Saad, the President of the Board, has denied Hoch’s allegations.

“If the allegations are true, the board would not condone that,” said Town Administrator Shawn Cadime. “We can’t really say if there’s legitimacy behind it. Everybody was taken aback by the statements that you have highlighted. They are concerning.”

Hoch and Montgomery both allege they were discriminated against by Seekonk Cable Access, on the basis of age and sex.

Hoch and Montgomery previously told the Select Board they endured harassment and threats by male board members.

Montgomery called the environment at TV9 “toxic” and “hostile.”

Hoch, in her complaint filed with the MCAD on August 24, noted she had been “an elected, unpaid member” of TV9’s Board of Directors since 2008.

A meeting will be held in December for the purpose of presenting the TV-9 membership with a new set of bylaws. A new board will also be elected. All TV 9 subscribers are eligible to vote.