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Mayor Carlo DeMaria took aim at hisdetractors at the City Council meeting on Monday, February 24, for what hispersonal attorney referred to as demonstrably false allegations regarding hisconduct as mayor.

The mayor demanded an audience to answer aquestion previously posed by Councilor Michael Marchese about why he spent morethan $200,000 in legal fees from his personal campaign account. Some councilorspushed back against Mayor DeMarias address on Monday, as the issue was alreadyslated for a future committee meeting in March.

I dont see any reason to bring it uptonight, said Councilor Fred Capone.

Other councilors expressed feeling blindsidedby the mayors appearance and unprepared to speak on the issue, includingCouncilor Marchese.

Im not prepared to ask the questions that Iwould have [in the committee meeting], he said.

However, Mayor DeMaria insisted on beingheard, seizing on an opportunity to address specific rumors. He was representedby Asst. City Solicitors Matt Lattanzi and Keith Slattery, as well as hisprivate attorney John Pappalardo and fellow attorney Emily Bryant.

Pappalardo referred to himself as the seniorpartner of a very, very large international law firm and said that he chargesMayor DeMaria $1,650 per hour for his services. Reading from a preparedstatement, he explained that he was hired by the mayor to enhance hispolitical future by addressing scurrilous and unfounded attacks in the form ofsocial media posts, news media and blogs.

Pappalardo added that according toMassachusetts General Laws, public officials are able to retain counsel inorder to protect their reputations, and said that $200,000 was actually notmuch money. He couldnt confirm where his fees were coming from, but said hisclient is looking into suing those who besmirch his character.

Pappalardo attempted to disprove gossipswirling around about Mayor DeMarias conduct. Specifically, he defended aninterview the mayor gave to the U.S. government years ago, which was madepublic after a proffer agreement for that meeting was somehow leaked to themedia.

[He] has been portrayed as a snitch or aninformant. These allegations are completely untrue, he said. People who havesomething to hide dont talk. They invoke the Fifth Amendment.

Pappalardo admitted that he did not know whythe government interviewed Mayor DeMaria, but insisted that Council hadnothing to worry about and urged the body to question the validity of claimsposed in a one-man tabloid-type newsletter.

Your mayor is innocent of wrongdoing, hesaid. He has never been charged with a crime.

Mayor DeMaria mostly allowed his attorney tospeak on his behalf.

For the last six years, Ive enduredCouncilman Marcheses constant attacks on social media, in the public and inthe news, he said. Dont tell me that he or anyone else doesnt havequestions [prepared]. Theyve asked their questions in the Everett LeaderHerald.

The mayor also accused the Council of payingfor ads in the Leader Herald in exchange for a smear campaign.

Councilor Wayne Matewsky sided with MayorDeMaria and his counsel.

In Everett, if they cant beat you, theyslander you, he said.

Councilor Anthony DiPierro spoke on themayors behalf at least twice.

Lets stop allowing this body to be dictatedby a self-proclaimed newsletter and lets move the city forward, he said.

Councilor Capone said that as electedofficials, it was their duty to investigate all claims of wrongdoing.

This whole thing is ridiculous, MayorDeMaria said. Youve been slaughtering me for years, especially the Marchesefamily.

Councilors expressed a desire to continue thediscussion at the committee meeting as planned, and also requested that themayor provide his invoices for Pappalardos services.

Council President Rosa DiFlorio, who struggled to maintainorder during the meeting, gaveled a 10-minute recess to allow tensions tosettle before resuming the usual order of business.

Read more:
DeMaria Blasts Critics and False Allegations - Everett Independent