Everett, Massachusetts, September 30, 2025
News Summary
An audit has uncovered that Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria received an additional $31,000 in cost-of-living adjustments in 2023. It is linked to state investigators who found he was overpaid $180,000 in bonuses between 2016 and 2021. The City Council has sent these findings to the Office of the Inspector General and the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission due to concerns about transparency and legality. Public protests demand accountability as the mayor refuses to repay the funds and claims the allegations are politically motivated.
Everett — An audit reveals that Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria received an additional $31,000 in 2023 as a cost-of-living adjustment. The audit is linked to state investigators’ findings that DeMaria was improperly paid $180,000 in longevity bonuses between 2016 and 2021.
Key findings and immediate actions
The audit identified that DeMaria allegedly received payments from protected accounts and some payments were hidden within budget line items. The audit indicated that about $40,000 of the total $220,000 paid via city credit cards was legitimate, while $180,000 was deemed excessive. Following the audit, the City Council found the audit results troubling and voted unanimously to send findings to the Office of the Inspector General and the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission.
Investigation origin and status
A tip to the inspector general’s hotline in 2022 initiated the investigation into DeMaria’s payments. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro stated there was misapplication of the mayoral longevity ordinance which led to the overpayment. Shapiro noted that the language change in the ordinance allowed for the extra payments and that this change was not adequately reviewed by councilors.
Responses from officials and the mayor
DeMaria has refused to repay the $180,000, asserting entitlement to the funds and claiming the allegations are politically motivated. DeMaria is currently suing the Office of the Inspector General in response to the findings. The City Council’s unanimous referral to state ethics and oversight bodies reflects concern about the scale and handling of the payments.
Council and public reaction
Councilor Robert Van Campen criticized the lack of transparency, questioning the lack of accountability regarding large payments. Council President Stephanie Martins expressed disbelief over the sudden discovery of the cost-of-living payment and questioned its legitimacy. Critics among the public have called for immediate repayment, citing a desire for transparency and accountability in city government. The ongoing situation has drawn significant public attention and protests from Everett taxpayers demanding accountability from city officials.
Financial details
The audit tied to state investigators’ work shows $220,000 charged on city credit cards in connection with the mayor’s office, with about $40,000 identified as legitimate expenses and $180,000 classified as excessive. The questioned longevity payments span the period 2016 through 2021. The additional $31,000 cost-of-living adjustment occurred in 2023 and was included in the audit findings.
Legal and oversight pathways
By forwarding the audit results to the Office of the Inspector General and the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission, the City Council sought further review and possible enforcement actions. The inspector general’s determination about the misapplication of the mayoral longevity ordinance points to a potential legal foundation for recovery or administrative sanctions, subject to further proceedings and any determinations by the ethics commission or courts.
What happens next
With ongoing litigation by Mayor DeMaria against the Office of the Inspector General, outcomes remain uncertain. State-level review by the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission is expected to assess potential ethics violations. Public protests and calls for transparency have increased pressure on city leaders to clarify payroll, credit card, and budget practices and to pursue any available remedies if overpayments are upheld.
Background context
Local oversight mechanisms, including inspector general hotlines, initiated the review after a 2022 tip. The audit and subsequent state investigation highlight procedural questions about how mayoral longevity payments were calculated and authorized, and whether recent ordinance language changes were adequately reviewed by local elected officials prior to implementation.
FAQ
What did the audit find?
An audit reveals that Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria received an additional $31,000 in 2023 as a cost-of-living adjustment.
What are the state investigators’ findings?
The audit is linked to state investigators’ findings that DeMaria was improperly paid $180,000 in longevity bonuses between 2016 and 2021.
Were payments hidden or taken from protected accounts?
DeMaria allegedly received payments from protected accounts and some payments were hidden within budget line items.
How much was paid on city credit cards and what portion was legitimate?
The audit indicated that about $40,000 of the total $220,000 paid via city credit cards was legitimate, while $180,000 was deemed excessive.
What did the City Council do after the audit?
The City Council found the audit results troubling and voted unanimously to send findings to the Office of the Inspector General and the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission.
What criticisms have council members expressed?
Councilor Robert Van Campen criticized the lack of transparency, questioning the lack of accountability regarding large payments. Council President Stephanie Martins expressed disbelief over the sudden discovery of the cost-of-living payment and questioned its legitimacy.
What did the Inspector General say?
Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro stated there was misapplication of the mayoral longevity ordinance which led to the overpayment. Shapiro noted that the language change in the ordinance allowed for the extra payments and that this change was not adequately reviewed by councilors.
Has the mayor agreed to repay the money?
DeMaria has refused to repay the $180,000, asserting entitlement to the funds and claiming the allegations are politically motivated.
Is there ongoing litigation?
DeMaria is currently suing the Office of the Inspector General in response to the findings.
How did the investigation start?
A tip to the inspector general’s hotline in 2022 initiated the investigation into DeMaria’s payments.
What is the public reaction?
Critics among the public have called for immediate repayment, citing a desire for transparency and accountability in city government. The ongoing situation has drawn significant public attention and protests from Everett taxpayers demanding accountability from city officials.
At-a-glance table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Audit discovery | An audit reveals that Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria received an additional $31,000 in 2023 as a cost-of-living adjustment. |
| Questioned longevity payments | The audit is linked to state investigators’ findings that DeMaria was improperly paid $180,000 in longevity bonuses between 2016 and 2021. |
| City credit card charges | The audit indicated that about $40,000 of the total $220,000 paid via city credit cards was legitimate, while $180,000 was deemed excessive. |
| Council action | The City Council found the audit results troubling and voted unanimously to send findings to the Office of the Inspector General and the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission. |
| Investigation origin | A tip to the inspector general’s hotline in 2022 initiated the investigation into DeMaria’s payments. |
| Mayor’s response | DeMaria has refused to repay the $180,000 and is currently suing the Office of the Inspector General in response to the findings. |
| Public reaction | Critics among the public have called for immediate repayment. The ongoing situation has drawn significant public attention and protests from Everett taxpayers demanding accountability from city officials. |
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Additional Resources
- WCVB: Everett Audit Findings
- Boston 25 News: State’s Highest Paid Mayor
- Everett Independent: Mayor Cuts Ribbon
- AP News: Everett Mayor’s Defamation Lawsuit
- NBC Boston: Mayor Overpaid by $180K
- Wikipedia: Everett, Massachusetts
- Google Search: Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Everett Massachusetts
- Google News: Everett Mayor Audit
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