Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 28, 2025 Wayne A. Matewsky Justice of the Peace / Notary Public (617) 389-5106 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA Complimentary Notary Service for Everett Seniors SPENDING | FROM PAGE 1 port of February 27. The proposal was passed 10-0 with no discussion. Every resolution was sponsored by all the members, except Ward 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro, who recused himself from the proceedings because he is a relative of the Mayor. The cost is undetermined but funds were authorized by the Mayor in accordance with regulations, as all appropriations must originate If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! 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City Clerk Sergio Cornelio reported the State Auditor has asked the City Council to refi ne its request as to the subject of an audit in each department. “They just don’t come in and look around,” he said. “You have to tell them what it is you want looked at.” He also said that while State Auditor Dina DiZoglio usually audits state offi ces, it is not that unusual they’re asked to audit municipal offi ces. Municipalities across the country normally have outside law fi rms on the payroll when litigation warrants it for internal lawsuits. Receiving unanimous approval was a resolution asking “[t]hat the DeMaria Administration immediately cease and desist in its use of public funds in challenging the fi ndings and recommendations issued by the Offi ce of the lnspector General dated February 27, 2025, that it not use public funds to compensate attorneys for work performed on February 27, 2025 and thereafter to challenge the fi ndings and recommendations issued by the Office of the lnspector General dated February 27, 2025, and provide written confi rmation of the same within seven (7) days.” That resolution is concerning given that there was no due process by the Inspector General towards the Mayor’s Offi ce, which obviously questions the integrity of the Inspector General’s report. Petrini was called to explain the resolution and his recommendation for approval, making reference to the appearance of attorneys Young Paik from Paik Deal, who is representing the Mayor, and John Pappalardo of Greenburg Traurig, who is representing the Administration, at the March 4 City Council meeting and accusations DeMaria violated confl ict-of-interest regulations by being involved in drafting the ordinance that gave him the longevity pay. In his opinion, Petrini stated, “The Public Purpose Doctrine says public funds should be used to advance the interest of the public, not a private person’s interests.” “The Mayor’s interests have become adverse to those of the City. It became obvious March 4 when the Mayor had attorneys working for his personal interest, not that of the City. The Inspector General’s report was a sea-change. After that it was no longer proper to use City funds for the Mayor’s opposition to the report. I think the Council hopes the Mayor will do the right thing. If he uses his own money to pay for legal fees, that’s his choice but unless the Mayor voluntarily does or some other action is taken through the State Ethics Commission or a court order, the matter is still open.” Petrini also called the Inspector General “an independent state agency with no particular bias or axe to grind in Everett or any other community.” However, documents obtained appear to show an apparent political attack with possible revenge motives. It has been learned that Councillor Michael Marchese, in a letter to the Inspector General, drafted by City Clerk Sergio Cornelio in December 2021, was drafted only weeks after the defaming article regarding the Corey Street transaction between Cornelio and the Mayor was published in the Everett Leader Herald citing an interview with Cornelio. A lawsuit was fi led in September of 2021 including Cornelio only weeks before the IG submission was created. The timing of the filing by the pair being Cornelio and Marchese, who sold two Everett properties (reportedly under market price) to Cornelio, makes the potential for the initiation of the investigation purely political, if not worse. It also must be noted the Cornelio was in charge of elections at the time of the occurrence. Cornelio countersued the Mayor but both parties dropped their respective suits prior to the mayor’s $1.1 million settlement award. But Paik and Pappalardo have argued the investigation had no mechanism for the Mayor or members of the Administration to rebut allegations, cross-examine witnesses, present a case or appeal the fi ndings. Also approved was a resolution for the Councillors, Mayor DeMaria and members of his fi - nance team to take specialized training as to their respective fi - duciary duties in the area of muSPENDING | SEE PAGE 19
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