Audit finds Everett mayor received 260K in extra pay

An independent audit revealed that Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria improperly received $260,964 in additional payments, including a $31,664 lump sum in 2023. The findings, presented by MDD Forensic Accountants, follow a state inspector general report that identified $180,000 in overpaid longevity funds. City Council members expressed deep concerns about the implications for trust in local government, with Councilor Robert Van Campen stating, “If we lose trust in the city government … then the whole system breaks down. ” The audit flagged questionable practices, such as multiple $30,000 longevity bonuses issued months apart and payments processed outside the standard payroll system. DeMaria's official salary is $185,000, but he has reportedly become the highest-paid mayor in Massachusetts due to these excessive payments.

The City Council approved a $2,500 longevity bonus in 2016, aiming to manage salary growth. The State Ethics Commission is reviewing potential violations concerning his involvement in drafting the ordinance that authorized his longevity pay. In a public meeting, residents voiced their frustrations, wearing shirts that called for accountability and expressing concerns over alleged criminal behavior.