SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Springfield’s City Council President admitted on Friday that she broke ethics rules — and now faces a state investigation. Tracye Whitfield said she’s embarrassed by her mistake. The city’s top lawyer says her actions violated conflict of interest laws.

City Council President Tracye Whitfield said she misunderstood the rules. She thought she only needed to step aside for votes, not discussions. But the city solicitor says that’s not how it works, and the vote in question should be thrown out.

“I am embarrassed by this mistake, and I offer my sincere apologies. Transparency and honesty are core values that guide my life and my leadership,” said Whitfield.

On February 2nd, the city council voted on a request to close part of Wallace Street. The person representing the company that wanted the closure, Whitfield’s son and business partner, Jelani Bland. He works for Jets Property Development. Whitfield didn’t disclose her connection to the company. She didn’t step away from the discussion or the vote, even though she has a financial interest in jets. The city solicitor says that violates state ethics rules.

“The City Council’s vote on the discontinuance of Wallace Street is tainted and rife with conflict-of-interest violations.”, the city solicitor Stephen Buoniconti asked the council to cancel that vote. He’s also referred the matter to the state ethics commission for a full investigation.

At the Press press conference, Whitfield also addressed questions about a city auction where she openly bid on two properties with her son, “I openly participated and fairly bid on two properties. I am a Springfield native, born and raised, and I believe deeply that Springfield is a great place to invest. I attended the auction in full public view alongside my son because I was proud that we are investing in our hometown.”

Whitfield said she’s contacted the state Ethics Commission and the city law department. She’s putting new safeguards in place, including more ethics training. She says she’ll accept any corrective action the city council decides to take. The city council will vote Friday morning to rescind the original vote on Wallace Street. That meeting started at 11 a.m., city council member Victor Davilla told us he expects the vote to be overturned.

The state ethics commission investigation could take months.

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