BOSTON (WPRI) — A former Bristol County Deputy Sheriff paid a $40,000 civil penalty and $25,000 in economic advantage damages for violating conflict of interest laws when he sold a home to his wife during an auction he was overseeing.

The Massachusetts Ethics Commission announced the results of its inquiry on Thursday.

According to the commission, Floyd Teague’s duties as deputy sheriff included auctioning property when the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office was retained to do so.

Back in March of 2023, Teague was tasked with handling the seizure and auction of a modular home in a neighboring county.

The commission said before the auction, Teague discussed the home with his wife and agreed to place a $20,000 bid on her behalf.

At the auction, Teague reportedly told bidders they needed a $5,000 certified check to participate even though his wife did not provide such a check.

In a press release, the commission said, “Teague then announced he had a $20,000 bid and declared, ‘going once, going twice, sold for $20,000,’ concluding the auction. Sometime after the auction, Teague’s spouse gave him a $20,000 bank check, which he turned over to the Sheriff’s Office’s Civil Process Division.”

Teague and his wife then renovated the home together, spending around $44,000 on contractors and supplies. In October of the same year, Teague’s wife sold the home for $309,000.

According to the commission, state employees are prohibited from participating in matters where they or their immediate family members have financial interest.

The commission said, “[Teague] violated the conflict of interest law’s prohibition against public employees using their official positions to secure valuable unwarranted privileges for themselves or others. Teague’s violations were to his economic advantage.”

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