In a striking display of unanimous decision-making, the Everett City Council solidified their stance against Mayor Carlo DeMaria, engaging in a no confidence vote after revelations of overpaid longevity bonuses surfaced. The Mayor, amid accusations of being erroneously overpaid by a hefty sum of $180,000 over years, became the focus of a city embroiled in a discussion about financial transparency and leadership trustworthiness, as reported by NBC Boston.
The no confidence vote stemmed from findings by Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro last month, confirming that Mayor DeMaria should return the improperly accrued funds to the city treasury despite the Mayor's statement on social media countering that his administration focused on solutions and positive change for Everett and insinuating that the City Council had been involved in “political theatrics," Shapiro's investigation found a revision in the language of an ordinance from 2016 – a small but significant change from "after each completed full term as mayor" to "for each completed full term as mayor" – which ultimately became the crux of the overpayment issue, the Inspector General's office revealing that DeMaria concealed the payments from both the city council and the public, according to NBC Boston.
Adding to the storyline, The Boston Globe reported Councilor Robert Van Campen's articulation of his views, noting "My confidence in this administration is beyond shaken right now," and emphasizing the alarming nature of the concealment of funds as a violation of trust, while other city councilors expressed their eagerness to see immediate action against Mayor DeMaria, Councilor Peter Pietrantonio characterizing any postponement of disciplinary actions as "absurd" to roaring applause, stressing that DeMaria shouldn't have "another minute" to repay the funds.
The council acted swiftly, not only on the no confidence verdict but also in laying out demands for Mayor DeMaria, who was absent from the crucial meetings, being represented by lawyers instead, his lack of personal attendance stirring further critique from city officials and residents alike, the city council demanding transparency regarding legal expenses and the distribution of taxpayer money in response to the investigation, the council also voted on recommendations from the Inspector General to conduct an audit and improve financial controls, aligning with the consensus drawn from the audience, where resident David Fortin's outcry, "It's about time! It's about time you did the right thing," resonated with those gathered and those analyzing the narrative of a city seeking restitution for the alleged fiscal missteps of its leader, as detailed by The Boston Globe.
The State Ethics Commission now stands as a possible avenue for further examination of the Mayor's actions, a request made by the Inspector General to determine if conflict of interest law violations have occurred, while Mayor DeMaria, via a statement read at a council meeting, warned against hasty conclusions, his administration meanwhile reaching out to the state auditor's office for insight into the proposed financial audit, Chief of Staff Erin Deveney revealing their intention for an informed discussion before proceeding with the potentially costly process, illustrating the ongoing tension between a council fixed on rectifying the wrongdoing and an administration caught at the crossroads of scrutiny and the call for due process.
