This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

What Will This Cost?

The sexual harassment case involving Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., is finally over. Over, but at what cost to the town, both financially and politically?

Maybe the agreement was the best way to go! But one has to wonder why after over three years of back and forth in court and on the morning of trial no less, did the mayor decide to settle? What was so compelling at the last minute that convinced him to pay and make this go away?

Was it the list of witnesses to testify against him? Was it the last-minute court papers submitted by the complainant’s attorney that was the compelling factor?

Maturo stood by his innocence, so why just before the start of trial did he have a change of heart? Town Attorney Joseph Zullo said it was to avoid a protracted court fight that would cost more to continue, even though he said Maturo would prevail at trial. I don’t buy that excuse. I’ve always believed if one is innocent, you fight to prove that. Then again, this settlement isn’t being paid by the mayor.

So, what will this settlement cost the taxpayers? Did the settlement include paying court costs and attorney fees? We should be told everything.

Having no recall or impeachment clause in the Town Charter, what will the Town Council do now? Maturo will never resign and the council will never ask him to.

Like the plaintiff’s attorney Rachel Baird said, this is now in the hands of the voters.

Richard Poulton

East Haven