Malden group starts online petition calling for resignation of Councillor-at-Large Colón Hayes

First-term elected official admitted state ethics law violations and paid civil penalty in conflict-of-interest case

By The Advocate

A Malden group has begun an online petition calling for the resignation of first-term Malden Councillor-at-Large Karen Colón Hayes following the disposition of a State Ethics Commission case where she signed an agreement admitting to violations of the state conflict of interest law. In signing the agreement (see separate story on Page 1), Councillor Colón Hayes agreed to pay a $7,500 civil penalty for the ethics law violations, as well as waiving all rights to contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law and terms and conditions contained in the agreement. The petition was begun on July 23 on www.change.org, a free public platform that hosts community-based petition drives. The petition calling for the resignation of Councillor Colón Hayes was initiated by group identified as “Malden Citizens.”

On the www.change.org website, the narrative following the title, “Why this petition matters” reads: “We, the concerned citizens of Malden, call for the immediate resignation of City of Malden Councillor Karen Colon Hayes. City Councillor Karen Colon Hayes has been found guilty of multiple violations of the Conflict-of-Interest Law even after submitting to multiple State Ethics trainings.

“Public service is a public trust, requiring you to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws, and ethical principles above private gain. As citizens we put our trust in you as an elected official to uphold laws and you have failed us.

“On April 18, 2023, the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission concluded its inquiry and found reasonable cause to believe Karen Colon Hayes violated G.L. c. 268A, §§ 19 and 23.

“Current City of Malden Councillor Karen Colon Hayes pays $7,500 Civil Penalty for Violating Conflict of Interest Law.

“The Commission and Colon Hayes now agree to the following findings of fact and conclusions of law:

“Hiring Daughter A and Approving Pay Increase

“Rehiring Daughter A

“Hiring Daughter A’s Boyfriend

“Hiring Daughter B

“Full Disposition: State Ethics Commission: https://www.mass.gov/settlement/disposition-agreement-in-the-matter-of-karen-colon-hayes

“Press Release, State Ethics Commission: https://www.mass.gov/news/former-malden-human-services-and-outreach-director-karen-colon-hayes-pays-7500-civil-penalty-for-violating-conflict-of-interest-law”