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EVERETT, Mass. — For an extended period, the mayor of this Boston suburb found Wednesdays to be particularly stressful. Those were the days when a local publication would release serious accusations, suggesting he was involved in corruption, sexual harassment, or even under FBI scrutiny.
In the aftermath of such reports from the Everett Leader Herald, friends and family of Mayor Carlo DeMaria took to Facebook to voice their concerns, with some turning against him. On one occasion, his father even threatened to disown him, fueled by claims the mayor knew were unfounded.
“I was referred to as ‘Kickback Carlo.’ Allegations suggested I settled numerous sexual harassment lawsuits and even made threats against women,” DeMaria recounted. “It was a nightmare. It was utterly horrifying.”
It turned out that much of what the paper published about him was false. Eventually, this led DeMaria to secure a remarkable $1.1 million settlement in December, effectively ceasing the operations of a local newspaper that had been running for nearly 140 years.
Winning a defamation case under the Supreme Court’s “actual malice” standard can be very challenging, especially for public figures. The blatant disregard for truth by the paper was starkly evident during court proceedings when the editor confessed to manufacturing numerous falsehoods.
Despite this legal victory, DeMaria’s troubles didn’t end there. As he gears up for his seventh reelection bid, new allegations have emerged regarding his salary, suggesting he may have improperly padded his income with additional payments—an issue first highlighted by the same paper four years prior. The Massachusetts government is now urging the City Council to intervene.
Known for his polished appearance and rapport with the city’s 49,000 residents, DeMaria came into office in 2007, earning praise for his contributions to infrastructure improvements. As the suburban landscape evolves, residents can now look past local industrial sites to the upcoming luxurious casino and a potential soccer stadium.
DeMaria has secured reelection by substantial margins, with his annual pay swelling to $232,700—a figure that includes a car allowance and additional perks—nearly matching that of Boston’s mayor. However, the narrow victory in the 2021 elections, where he retained his position by slightly over 200 votes, raised eyebrows.
Matthew Philbin, who purchased the Leader Herald in 2017, brought in reporter Joshua Resnek, and together they turned the publication into a vehicle for attacks against DeMaria, as court records reveal. DeMaria suspects Philbin was motivated by resentment following his opposition to certain licenses Philbin sought as a council member.
Resnek went as far as concocting a fictional City Hall source dubbed the “Blue Suit,” who allegedly made wild accusations against DeMaria in numerous articles, suggesting he engaged in land extortion and sexual misconduct.
At a press conference marking his settlement win, DeMaria appeared with his wife, expressing relief and validation.
“The magnitude of this settlement—in both the financial figures involved and the closure of their newspaper—shows just how severe their misconduct was, and highlights their numerous admissions,” DeMaria noted.
Neither Philbin nor Resnek made statements in response to inquiries regarding the case, but the publication’s conclusion suggested that all involved parties had found a resolution that rendered a trial unnecessary.
Nonetheless, certain local residents expressed concerns over the diminished presence of local news.
“We need diversity in voices,” stated resident Peggy Serino, an active participant in city council discussions. “Just because the administration disagrees with something doesn’t justify shutting it down.”
In 2022, a complaint was filed with the state Office of the Inspector General regarding the additional salary payments, prompted by the Leader Herald’s coverage of a claim labeling them “greedy.” DeMaria ultimately refused a $40,000 bonus in 2022 and the City Council capped his future bonuses to align with other city employees, approximately $1,700 per year.
Following an extensive investigation, the Inspector General concluded in February that DeMaria had collaborated with senior city officials to retroactively authorize $180,000 in payments from 2016 to 2021, disguising them within other budget items. The Inspector General also indicated that DeMaria may have breached state ethics laws by being involved in creating the ordinance that allowed for his increased compensation.
After the report’s release, the City Council shifted its stance on DeMaria. While they cannot terminate him, they have demanded repayment of the funds and initiated a comprehensive audit of his compensation over the last decade. Furthermore, they are compiling information to present to the state ethics commission, which has the authority to impose fines and refer criminal matters to prosecutors.
DeMaria has denied any misconduct, asserting that he has not concealed anything and insists that law enforcement has not reached out to him regarding these matters. He attributed the situation to typical small-town political conflicts.
“Those who have wrongly accused me are the ones perpetuating real wrongdoing,” he asserted. “I’m determined to protect not only my family but also the dignity and reputation of Everett and its people against these baseless claims.”
DeMaria did not attend a pivotal meeting attended by numerous city employees who were there to support him, with his lawyer and daughter present to offer a defense. A few weeks later, while launching his reelection campaign, he urged his supporters to reserve judgment until all facts were disclosed.
However, many community members are unwilling to wait for clarity. The City Council enacted a no-confidence resolution and halted future longevity compensation for DeMaria.
“Today marks a disappointing chapter for our community,” City Councilor Peter Pietrantonio remarked. “These are significant allegations against the mayor and his administration… It’s troubling.”
Guerline Alcy Jabouin, a Councilor at Large, encouraged city employees rallying behind DeMaria to look past personal loyalty.
“Consider the impact on your property taxes. Reflect on the lack of funding for schools. Think of your elderly relatives who struggle to afford necessary medications,” Jabouin urged.
Source
abcnews.go.com