Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
EVERETT, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria continues to face scrutiny regarding his use of city funds.
The Everett City Council voted to investigate all payments made to DeMaria since 2016 on Monday. This second audit follows Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro's discovery that the mayor overpaid himself nearly $180,000 in "longevity payments."
The council not only demanded that DeMaria return the funds but also passed a resolution calling for his administration to "cease" using city funds to pay his lawyers while he challenges the inspector general's findings.
Mayor DeMaria refused to return what he considers "bonus pay," asserting that he has done nothing wrong and launched his reelection campaign last week.
The Everett City Council voted to hire an independent auditor to review all payments made to the mayor over the past 9 years and to revise the language of the longevity-mayor ordinance.
DeMaria has been in office for 17 years.
WBZ's Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.