One of Boston’s most senior elected officials says the city’s residents “deserve better” and is calling two of his colleagues to task for what he calls “troubling ethical and legal lapses.” City Council President Ed Flynn, who represents District 2 and was first elected in 2017, issued the scathing statement on Wednesday. In it, he writes specifically about recent high-profile troubles facing District 6 Councilor Kendra Lara and District 5 Councilor Ricardo Arroyo. Lara faces several charges after a Friday crash in which a gray 2019 Honda Civic crashed through a metal fence over bushes and slammed into the left side of a Jamaica Plain home. Her son, who was riding in the back seat, suffered a deep laceration in the crash. Video below: Councilor faces charges after crashThe police report states that Lara was driving with a revoked license and that the Civic was unregistered, uninsured and had an expired inspection sticker. Because police her son was not riding in a booster seat, in violation of the law, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families was contacted about the incident.In his written statement, Flynn wished Lara and her son a speedy recovery but called the allegations “troubling.” Arroyo agreed to pay a $3,000 fine in June after he admitted violating the conflict-of-interest law, according to the State Ethics Commission.Arroyo entered an appearance as an attorney on behalf of his brother in the civil lawsuit prior to becoming a city councilor in January 2020. After being sworn into office, Arroyo did not withdraw from the case as required by law and continued to participate in it as an attorney, including in the deposition of a city employee, the commission said.Video below: Councilor pays fine for ethics violation”These events, and others in the past, continue to draw negative attention to the institution of the Boston City Council, and distract our city from focusing on the people’s business,” Flynn wrote. Arroyo was previously caught up in the scandal surrounding the resignation of U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins. In that case, an investigator found that Rollins tried to improperly help Arroyo in his run for Suffolk County District Attorney.”The people of Boston deserve the highest standards of strong and ethical leadership. Moreover, they want elected officials who show maturity, take responsibility as adults, and demonstrate the ability to follow the same basic rules and norms as the people they serve when placing us in positions of public trust,” Flynn wrote. Before being elected, Flynn was formerly a probation officer at Suffolk Superior Court. His father, Raymond Flynn, served as the city’s mayor from 1984 through 1993. Full statement from City Council President Ed Flynn:Many Boston residents have contacted me regarding their concerns on the recent car crash in Jamaica Plain. First, it is fortunate that Councilor Lara and her child – as well as nearby homeowners, motorists, pedestrians or bystanders -were not seriously injured, and we wish them a speedy recovery.We thank our dedicated first responders for their professionalism in ensuring war everyone was safe and was treated appropriately for their injuries.However, residents across the City of Boston are concerned about troubling details in the reports of this incident, allegedly including an unregistered vehicle, a revoked driver’s license, no auto insurance, an expired inspection sticker, and the lack of a booster seat for the child. This occurred in the same week that Councilor Arroyo admitted to ethics violations and was fined $3,000 by the Massachusetts State Ethics CommissionThese events, and others in the past, continue to draw negative attention to the institution of the Boston City Council, and distract our city from focusing on the people’s business.The people of Boston deserve the highest standards of strong and ethical leadership. Moreover, they want elected officials who show maturity, take responsibility as adults, and demonstrate the ability to follow the same bask rules and norms as the people they serve when placing us in positions of public trust. The residents of Boston deserve leaders who respect their constituents and take their responsibilities seriously, especially during these challenging times.
One of Boston’s most senior elected officials says the city’s residents “deserve better” and is calling two of his colleagues to task for what he calls “troubling ethical and legal lapses.”
City Council President Ed Flynn, who represents District 2 and was first elected in 2017, issued the scathing statement on Wednesday. In it, he writes specifically about recent high-profile troubles facing District 6 Councilor Kendra Lara and District 5 Councilor Ricardo Arroyo.
Lara faces several charges after a Friday crash in which a gray 2019 Honda Civic crashed through a metal fence over bushes and slammed into the left side of a Jamaica Plain home. Her son, who was riding in the back seat, suffered a deep laceration in the crash.
Video below: Councilor faces charges after crash
The police report states that Lara was driving with a revoked license and that the Civic was unregistered, uninsured and had an expired inspection sticker.
Because police her son was not riding in a booster seat, in violation of the law, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families was contacted about the incident.
In his written statement, Flynn wished Lara and her son a speedy recovery but called the allegations “troubling.”
Arroyo agreed to pay a $3,000 fine in June after he admitted violating the conflict-of-interest law, according to the State Ethics Commission.
Arroyo entered an appearance as an attorney on behalf of his brother in the civil lawsuit prior to becoming a city councilor in January 2020. After being sworn into office, Arroyo did not withdraw from the case as required by law and continued to participate in it as an attorney, including in the deposition of a city employee, the commission said.
Video below: Councilor pays fine for ethics violation
“These events, and others in the past, continue to draw negative attention to the institution of the Boston City Council, and distract our city from focusing on the people’s business,” Flynn wrote.
Arroyo was previously caught up in the scandal surrounding the resignation of U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins. In that case, an investigator found that Rollins tried to improperly help Arroyo in his run for Suffolk County District Attorney.
“The people of Boston deserve the highest standards of strong and ethical leadership. Moreover, they want elected officials who show maturity, take responsibility as adults, and demonstrate the ability to follow the same basic rules and norms as the people they serve when placing us in positions of public trust,” Flynn wrote.
Before being elected, Flynn was formerly a probation officer at Suffolk Superior Court. His father, Raymond Flynn, served as the city’s mayor from 1984 through 1993.
Full statement from City Council President Ed Flynn:
Many Boston residents have contacted me regarding their concerns on the recent car crash in Jamaica Plain. First, it is fortunate that Councilor Lara and her child – as well as nearby homeowners, motorists, pedestrians or bystanders -were not seriously injured, and we wish them a speedy recovery.
We thank our dedicated first responders for their professionalism in ensuring war everyone was safe and was treated appropriately for their injuries.
However, residents across the City of Boston are concerned about troubling details in the reports of this incident, allegedly including an unregistered vehicle, a revoked driver’s license, no auto insurance, an expired inspection sticker, and the lack of a booster seat for the child. This occurred in the same week that Councilor Arroyo admitted to ethics violations and was fined $3,000 by the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission
These events, and others in the past, continue to draw negative attention to the institution of the Boston City Council, and distract our city from focusing on the people’s business.
The people of Boston deserve the highest standards of strong and ethical leadership. Moreover, they want elected officials who show maturity, take responsibility as adults, and demonstrate the ability to follow the same bask rules and norms as the people they serve when placing us in positions of public trust.
The residents of Boston deserve leaders who respect their constituents and take their responsibilities seriously, especially during these challenging times.
