THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – Friday, February 28, 2020 Page 5 CITY COUNCIL | FROM PAGE 1 do, counsel for DeMaria since 2016, said his client signed a proff er agreement, which allowed him to speak with federal offi cials about issues pertaining to the land which is now home to Encore Boston Harbor. However, Pappalardo said that by doing so, DeMaria was falsely portrayed as a “snitch and FBI informant.” “People who are innocent of wrongdoing will talk; they will sign a proff er agreement,” said Pappalardo. “If it wasn’t true, he would’ve been indicted; he didn’t hide behind the Fifth Amendment.” Ward 1 Councillor Fred Capone, a seasoned attorney in his own right, asked why the U.S. Attorney’s Offi ce would want to speak with DeMaria. He also maintained that a proff er agreement is only used during a criminal proceeding. However, Pappalardo quickly countered. “That’s absolutely untrue – absolutely untrue,” he said. “There’s nothing sinister about a proff er agreement.” Capone also did not appreciate the demeanor that Pappalardo had taken with the council. “I’m a little frustrated that we’re being accosted, as if we’re doing something wrong,” he said. Yet, Pappalardo said that was not his intention. “This is not a personal attack,” he said. “I’m making statements that are very clear.” In addition, Pappalardo dispelled the notion that DeMaria was involved in the $3 billion civil lawsuit against Wynn Resorts that was fi led in federal court by Sterling Suffolk Racecourse. “That’s absolutely, completely untrue,” he said. “We are dealing with matters relating to Mayor DeMaria’s political future.” Pappalardo said DeMaria was never mentioned in the Complaint and that the validity of that proceeding was even called into question by a federal judge. He said that in November 2019, the case was “dismissed with prejudice,” meaning that it can never be tried again. “I’ve been an attorney for 45 years. I’m a senior partner at a very large international law fi rm, I’m not here in connection with a criminal case,” said Pappalardo. He also addressed the $200,000 that DeMaria has spent in legal fees over the past four years. “If it were a criminal case, it would be incredibly more expensive,” he said, adding that legal fees in those cases usually total $2 million to $3 million within just nine months. In response, Capone asked that DeMaria provide the council with the invoices of the legal services rendered. Councillor-at-Large Wayne Matewsky described the city’s volatile political arena. “Everett’s a very diff erent political place,” he said. “If they can’t beat you in Everett they slander you.” Aff ordable Housing In other news, Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins spoke about creating a 16-member Aff ordable Housing Task Force to represent the needs of residents with low to moderate incomes. “The goal is to identify resources and information that will reveal the depth of the housing issue in our community,” said Martins, adding that the task force will address topics such as property taxes, resident displacement and the housing lottery. “This is just the beginning.” In addition to having two councillors on the task force, the membership would also include representatives from the Housing Authority, the School Committee, the business community as well as three individuals who have been directly aff ected by the lack of aff ordable housing. Martins said the task force would meet once a month or once every two months over the course of one year. AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Get Your Vehicle Winter Ready! OIL CHANGE SPECIAL Up to 5 Quarts of Oil (Most Vehicles) Includes FREE Brake Inspection & Safety Check Only $24.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! 2009 FORD F-150 CREW CAB 4X4, One Owner, Most Power Options, Only 118K Miles, Just Serviced, Trades Welcome! PRICED RIGHT! $9,500 Easy Financing Available! 2011 FORD F-150 CREW CAB Platinum Package, 4X4, Loaded, Every Option, Clean Title, Only 99K Miles, Trades Welcome! AMAZING LOW PRICE! $16,500 781-321-8841 1236 Eastern Ave • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! dine drink gather enjo Friday, February 28 at 9 PM VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCE y Saturday, February 29 at 9 PM BACK TO THE 80'S with Danny McCarthy Trio Friday, March 6 at 7 PM RUSSO ON THE ROAD Comedy Show/Dinner/Live Band Featuring Dan Crohn Paul D'Angelo * Joe Espi Friday, March 13 at 9 PM TB12 Boston Marathon Fundraiser SIERRA Live music featuring Friday, March 20 at 9 PM BRIAN MAES BAND WILDFIRE with Kevin Herchen Saturday, March 14 at 9 PM Celebrate St. Paddy's Day! Leap Year Show! Saturday, March 7 at 9 PM ANNIE BROSBT With 43 CHURCH STREET 221 Newbury Street, Danvers For Tickets call (978) 774-7270 or www.breakawaydanvers.com
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