No Decision on Reservation of Rights Letter for Mayor Joseph Maturo

No action was taken at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting regarding a letter sent by Democratic Town Committee Chairman Richard DePalma asking the town to issue Mayor Joseph Maturo a reservation of rights letter, the New Haven Register reports.

Chairman Richard Anania read the letter into public record at the meeting.

Maturo is facing a sexual harassment suit filed by a former town hall employee who accused the mayor of making inappropriate sexual advances and comments towards her.

Maturo’s legal fees have come under debate by officials and taxpayers as the town is paying Maturo’s attorney and the attorney hired to represent the town’s interests.

While a statute requires the town provide defense for civil suits, DePalma demanded that the town issue the letter as an added precaution if Maturo is found guilty.

Town Attorney Joseph Zullo told the Register that such a letter would be unnecessary as the statute already allows the town to seek reimbursement if Maturo is found guilty. According to the Register, at Tuesday’s meeting, Zullo advised that no councilman discuss the matter of the letter in a public forum as the issue was currently pending litigation.

DePalma told the Register, he believed the town should defend Maturo but the letter would serve as an added protection.

Read the full story at the New Haven Register.

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