Ayanna Pressley

The interim head of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) is removing himself from the massive $2 billion state contract for a new Springfield courthouse awarded, in part, to a company he co-owns with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s husband, Conan Harris.

John Barros is divesting his ownership interest in Liberty Junction – the partnership awarded the contract that includes Barros and Harris’ company CoJo Partners, Suffolk Construction, and Virginia-based real estate firm FD Stonewater.

In a statement sent to the Herald, Barros defended the merits of the contract and says the decision to step away from the deal was made in order to “keep the project moving forward for the Springfield community.”

“My aim from day one has been to quickly deliver a healthy new courthouse for the people of Hampden County — one that’s also an economic development engine for a part of Springfield that hasn’t seen much investment. Throughout the process, I made every disclosure required by statute and strictly followed all procurement regulations to ensure my role was legal and proper,” Barros said.

“Even so, I have made the difficult decision to divest from the Liberty Junction team because my involvement has been targeted by those who place personal gain above the community, critically delaying the fulfillment of Hampden County’s need for a healthy place to resolve disputes. I do not want the people this courthouse will serve to lose any more time,” he said.

The lucrative taxpayer-funded contract, and Barros and Harris’s involvement with it, have been facing heavy criticism from fiscal watchdog organizations, politicians and the public who have raised questions related to the procurement process and how a contract was awarded to such a politically-connected firm.

The Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAMM) quietly announced the contract was awarded to Liberty Junction in a July 2 press release – the last business day before the Independence Day weekend – something two losing bidders suing to stop the contract liken to a “Thursday news dump,” adding that it “fostered an unmistakable appearance of impropriety.”

Barros drew intense scrutiny for winning the bid, despite his current role leading the MCCA – a quasi–state entity which DCAMM officials among its Board of Directors. He has also faced criticism for disclosing the conflict of interest with the State Ethics Commission just one day before the bid was awarded.

Liberty Junction says Barros did disclose his role with CoJo Partners prior to accepting his appointment to lead the Convention Center.

“We deeply appreciate John’s contribution to this project and his willingness to step back for the community’s benefit. From the start, John pushed us to keep the project’s two goals in balance — a new courthouse to replace a facility that has become a genuine health hazard, and real development opportunity for the North End that would greatly benefit local small businesses,” said Liberty Junction Principal Claiborne Williams. “His commitment to these values was greatly appreciated. We wish him well.”

New England used car magnate Jeb Balise and real estate conglomerate Dinesh Patel, who filed a lawsuit on July 9 in Hampden Superior Court to stop the deal, under the business entities USPB JV, LLC and Tower Square, LLC, say Barros stepping down confirms the procurement process was “tainted.”

“Today’s news that John Barros is stepping away from the Springfield courthouse project confirms what we have said from the start: this selection was irrevocably tainted, and no retroactive exit can undo that after the contract is already awarded. Springfield and the Commonwealth’s taxpayers deserve a fair process that follows the law. For this reason, the only fair remedy is to set aside this award and redo the procurement. Our lawsuit will continue, and we look forward to making our case in court on August 11,” Balise and Patel said in a joint statement sent to the Herald.

DCAMM maintains it awarded the contract based on the recommendation of the Massachusetts Trial Court (TRC) in an effort to finish the project “as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance is calling on Barros and Harris to disclose whether Barros is divesting from CoJo Partners on his own free will or if he’s being pushed to do so by the State Ethics Commission.

“John Barros and Conan Harris, the husband of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, should disclose whether the State Ethics Commission is forcing Barros to divest his stake in the project or if Barros is doing it of his own free will,” said MassFiscal Executive Director Paul Craney. “The public deserves answers. Resolving conflicts of interest only after the contract has been awarded does not address the obvious concern that conflicts may have influenced the decision to select Barros and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s husband’s firm in the first place.”

Gov. Maura Healey has defended the contract, calling it “a good deal for taxpayers,” in the days following the news of the deal. Healey referred comment on Barros’ divestment to DCAMM.

“This was a fair, thorough and competitive process that resulted in the selection of the bid that was the lowest cost to taxpayers by nearly $300 million, had a team with strong experience and qualifications, and was the Trial Court’s clear top recommendation. This project will deliver a safe and modern Court House that residents and workers deserve, while delivering the best value for taxpayers,” a DCAMM spokesperson told the Herald.

Meanwhile, as Conan Harris remains with CoJo Partners and on the contract, Ayanna Pressley’s net worth has exploded from an estimated $12,500 during her time as Boston City Councilor in 2018 to a whopping $8 million in 2024, according to Open Secrets. She receives a congressional salary of $174,000.

According to Pressley’s financial disclosure report, the congresswoman has listed her Martha’s Vineyard home, which has an estimated value between $1 million and $5 million, also renting it out for up to $50,000 a year. Pressley also owns three rental residential properties in Boston that she reports making between $80,000 and $200,000 a year from.

The Herald has requested comment from Pressley and Harris.