In Everett, Massachusetts, a town adjacent to Boston, Mayor Carlo DeMaria once approached Wednesdays with a sense of dread. This was the day when the local weekly newspaper would release stories filled with allegations against him. These ranged from claims of him accepting bribes, sexually harassing women, to being under investigation by the FBI. These reports attracted attention among residents and led to damaging remarks on social media platforms. Even DeMaria’s father contemplated severing ties with him due to the falsehoods.
The relentless accusations led to DeMaria being saddled with the unflattering nickname “Kickback Carlo.” Allegations falsely suggested he was involved in settling numerous sexual harassment lawsuits and even involved in a violent incident. However, most of these claims were entirely fabricated. Eventually, DeMaria won a landmark $1.1 million settlement in December, a triumph that led to the closing of the newspaper that had been misleading locals for nearly 140 years.
These events marked a significant victory, as such defamation wins are rare for public figures under the Supreme Court’s stringent “actual malice” requirement. The revelations during court proceedings made it clear that the paper’s editor deliberately fabricated content as part of a smear campaign against the mayor. Despite this legal victory, DeMaria found little time for celebration. As he gears up for yet another mayoral campaign, new questions have emerged concerning his salary, specifically related to bonus payments. This revived issue, originally covered by the paper four years prior, has prompted state authorities to demand action from the City Council.
DeMaria’s journey in Everett, a working-class town with a population of about 49,000, has been underlined by personal political connections. Since becoming mayor in 2007, he has been lauded for his efforts in improving the town’s infrastructure, transforming it from one dominated by industrial sites to a destination boasting a luxurious casino and potentially a professional soccer stadium. His continued re-election by substantial margins increased his annual compensation to $232,700, closely rivaling that of Boston’s mayor, overseeing a city 14 times larger.
Despite these achievements, DeMaria barely retained his position after a grueling 2021 election, securing victory by just over 200 votes. It was after the acquisition of the local newspaper by Matthew Philbin in 2017, followed by the hiring of reporter Joshua Resnek, that a strategic effort was made to malign DeMaria. This vendetta was believed to stem from DeMaria’s prior opposition to Philbin’s business interests, including city contracts and boarding house licenses.
To discredit DeMaria, Resnek concocted a fictional “City Hall insider” named the “Blue Suit,” using this persona to construct tales of extortion, bribery, and sexual misconduct by “Kickback Carlo.” DeMaria expressed relief and vindication in a news conference after the court’s decision in his favor, highlighting the significance of the win by referring to the settlement awarded and the newspaper’s closure.
As the dust settled, some Everett residents voiced concerns about losing a local news source. Homeowner and council meeting regular Peggy Serino lamented the shutdown, supporting the need for diverse media perspectives in the community.
DeMaria’s reprieve was short-lived as an anonymous report to the state Office of the Inspector General revitalized scrutiny over his controversial bonus payments. Allegations of these payments being misrepresented or unlawful brought forth new financial restrictions on DeMaria, with the City Council capping his bonus payments significantly lower than before.
Following an investigation, the Inspector General outlined that between 2016 and 2021, DeMaria and his finance team orchestrated the concealment of $180,000 in payments. Moreover, it was suggested that he might have breached state ethics laws by influencing legislation that inflated his wages. As a result, the City Council demanded repayment and called for a thorough audit of payments made to him over nearly a decade, even contemplating state ethics commission involvement that might lead to fines or potentially more severe legal consequences.
Despite the mounting challenges, DeMaria maintains his stance, declaring his innocence against accusations of deceit. Asserting the political nature of the attacks against him, he pledges to mend the reputation damage caused to himself and the community.
Amid overwhelming scrutiny, DeMaria skipped a special city employee meeting aimed at discussing his case but soon after launched his re-election campaign, urging constituents to reserve judgment until all evidence is thoroughly reviewed. However, the City Council moved forward with a no-confidence vote, dissolving future longevity bonuses for him.
City Councilor Peter Pietrantonio expressed disappointment over the unfolding circumstances, denouncing the serious allegations DeMaria faces. Meanwhile, Councilor-at-Large Guerline Alcy Jabouin called on DeMaria’s supporters, especially city employees, to reconsider their loyalties in light of broader community impacts, referencing concerns over local taxes and underfunded community needs.