Conan Harris, husband of "Squad" Rep. Ayanna Pressley, remains associated with a real estate firm that secured a $2 billion contract to develop a new courthouse in Springfield, Massachusetts. This comes even as a key partner in the firm, John Barros, has divested from the company amid ethical controversy.
Barros, who also serves as the interim executive director for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, announced his withdrawal from CoJo Real Estate on Wednesday. CoJo Real Estate was part of the Liberty Junction team that won the bid for a 40-year lease to construct the courthouse. Harris is listed as a principal on the team.
Despite Barros' departure due to what his lawyer stated were public benefits outweighing personal interests, Harris has not yet followed suit. The firm is currently facing litigation from two losing bidders who have raised conflict of interest concerns, primarily centered on Barros' involvement.
Critics have pointed to Barros' role as raising ethical questions, given that members of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority's board are also part of the agency that selected Liberty Junction. Some have also raised concerns about whether Pressley's position in Congress might have offered an advantage to her husband's firm.
Financial disclosures for 2025 list Harris' business income from CoJo Real Estate as between $100,001 and $1,000,000, with the couple netting up to $250,000 in rent. These disclosures provide ranges rather than exact figures.
There is no evidence that Rep. Ayanna Pressley was involved in the bidding process or the selection of the Liberty Junction team. Pressley herself has not been accused of any wrongdoing in the ongoing lawsuit.
Losing bidders Jeb Balise and Dinesh Patel issued a statement following the news of Barros' withdrawal, asserting that the selection was "irrevocably tainted" and that no late exit can rectify the situation after the contract's award. They are continuing their lawsuit, seeking to have the award set aside and the procurement process redone.
A hearing concerning the matter is scheduled for August 11.