City Council hears testimony from rape survivor; asks councillors to remove sex offenders from city payroll

  Wendy Poste, a lifelong Everett resident, – who has been trying to bring to justice former Everett firefighter Albert Murphy, who, she alleges, drugged and raped her in Salisbury in 2019 – shared her story, requesting that the council determine if a law can be created that will not allow any person convicted of a sexual assault to hold any position of city government employment, during Tuesday’s City Council meeting at City Hall. Poste said what was important was the fact that a firefighter who was convicted by a jury of Indecent A&B of a child under the age of 14 – on probation for three years and on the sex offender registry – was allowed to continue working. The public was unaware that they were in danger and that he was around children for the next 18 years, according to Poste.

  “The mayor, nor the Fire Chief will respond to my letters nor will they acknowledge me at all,” Poste said. “This behavior has got to stop; sexual violence is not acceptable.”

  Poste said she met with DeMaria and other city and elected officials.

  “You as City Council members have the power that will protect the citizens,” Poste said. “Are you all afraid, or is time for a change?”

  Poste said the city hasn’t acknowledged the fact that they screwed up. She said the fire department knew that he was a sex offender; however, the police department didn’t.

  City Clerk Sergio Cornelio, asked if it was a charter change issue, stated he would look into it.

  Ward 6 Councillor Al Lattanzi said he liked Murphy but he never knew he was a predator. “That guy had me fooled,” Lattanzi said. “That’s one of the worst things that can happen to a woman or child.”

  Ward 3 Councillor Darren Costa thanked Poste for sharing her story, adding to the motion any current staff members who have a sex offender history on their record.

  Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins asked about the CORI process, adding that women shouldn’t feel that they don’t have a voice. “What if they are already employed?” Martins asked. “How can they be removed?”

  A motion was made to refer to the city solicitor, city clerk, human resources and Legislative Affairs Subcommittee, while looking into the CORI process.