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Everett City Council says mayor has to repay $180K in overpaid bonuses
“It’s a sad day in Everett,” said one councilor at the hearing. “It’s a negative spotlight on our community.”
During a special meeting Tuesday evening, the Everett City Council unanimously demanded that longtime Mayor Carlo DeMaria repay $180,000 in overpaid bonuses he received over five years, as well as approve $150,000 for an audit.
“It’s a sad day in Everett,” said Councilor Peter Pietrantonio at the hearing. “It’s a negative spotlight on our community.”
“We are going to do what’s right for the citizens of Everett,” he added.
According to the Office of Inspector General, DeMaria should have only been paid $40,000 in longevity payments between 2016 and 2021. He allegedly received a total of $220,000.
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The OIG, an independent state organization investigating abuse of public funds, received a hotline tip about DeMaria’s bonuses in 2022. On Thursday, Shapiro’s office reported their findings in a letter sent to Everett City Council President Stephanie Martins.
Speaking on behalf of the mayor, Attorney Young Paik said at the hearing that the letter was “one-sided” and filled with “false conclusions.”
Paik noted that the OIG process is not judicial, meaning there were no hearings, witnesses, or burden of proof.
“My clients were shocked and dismayed at the conclusions drawn by the OIG, Paik said. The letter included, “false conclusions about their intentions and professional integrity.”
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According to the video recording, residents and city employees packed Everett City Hall’s council chambers. People stood along the sides, and every seat filled up. At the beginning of the hearing, 30 minutes were allowed for public comment.
“The longevity bonus was a scam,” said resident Tony Raymond. “It was just that, a scam, a theft.”
Kathy McNeil, an Everett resident and retired teacher, said that if it were discovered that she received $180,000 in overpayments, she “would have been compelled to return that money asap.”
She urged councilors to do what was best for taxpayers and added, “City elections are not far away.”
The next municipal election is scheduled for November. DeMaria, first elected in 2007, told the Boston Herald he is running for reelection.
At Monday’s hearing, DeMaria’s daughter Alex spoke during public comment on how the controversies have created hardships for her and her two other siblings.
DeMaria settled a defamation lawsuit against The Everett Leader Herald for $1.1 million in December, resulting in the paper’s closure.
“It’s been said that politics is a blood sport and can create enemies,” Alex DeMaria said. She urged the City Council to stop the campaign against her father.
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In addition, the City Council requested authorization for its body to retain legal counsel, and voted unanimously to implement enhanced safeguards by separating the positions of auditor and chief financial officer to comply with the recommendations of the OIG.
The City Council also moved to send the longevity pay ordinance to the Committee of Legislative Affairs, intending to overturn it.
Councilor Peter Pietrantonio noted that it wasn’t the current City Council that voted in the longevity payments.
He said, “We’re just trying to clean up the mess.”
City Councilor Guerline Alcy Jabouin said it was “extremely embarrassing” when the city received the report.
“If it was any of us here that this kind of report came about us, I can guarantee you that the police would be at your door,” Alcy Jabouin said. “For sure.”
When they go out to vote, she urges residents not to think of the mayor as their friend but to consider where these funds could have gone, such as the schools that need more funding.
“We need to do better as a community,” she said.
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A previous version of this article misattributed a quote from Councilor Peter Pietrantonio to Councilor Wayne Matewsky.
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