From the Londonderry Times:
Town Councilor Deb Paul began her week with favorable news: all ethics
complaints filed against her have been dismissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Monday, Aug. 11, attorney Eric A. Maher of Donahue Tucker & Ciandella,
PLLC, released a report concluding that the three complaints, lodged by John
Farrell, dated April 30, May 1, and May 8, 2025, were all either \u201cUnfounded,
Not Sustained, Inconclusive, or Outside the Scope of the Investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Farrell, who lost his Town Council seat to Paul and Dan Bouchard in March,
accused Paul of violating the Town Charter, engaging in \u201cabhorrent and
abusive\u201d behavior toward employees, committing perjury, and using her
elected position to benefit the Londonderry Times, the newspaper she owns.
Across the three complaints, Farrell listed 16 reasons why he believed Paul
should be removed from office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maher, retained as an independent investigator, found no basis for removal.
Over the past several weeks, he interviewed Paul, Farrell, Police Chief Kim
Bernard, Assistant Town Manager Kellie Caron, and Recreation Director Doug
Cole before issuing his findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his report, Maher wrote: \u201cDespite asking the questions of the various
individuals noted above, several of whom appeared to have a long and
contentious history with Paul, not one was able to provide any clear
instance in which Paul had sought to use her position on the Town Council to
benefit the Londonderry Times. No interviewee identified an instance where
Paul sought to compel Town employee cooperation with the newspaper. No
interviewee identified an instance where Paul disclosed confidential
information to the newspaper. While there is rumor and supposition, no
interviewee identified any specific instance of misconduct in this regard.\u201d
Maher also note, \u201cThere is no solicitation for advertising and no suggestion
that Paul or the Londonderry Times would receive financial compensation from
the Town for running a story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing an allegation of \u201cpay-to-play\u201d by Farrell, Maher found it
unfounded, citing Planning Board meeting minutes from April 9, 2025, which
confirmed Paul\u2019s explanation that her \u201cgive and take\u201d remark referred to
discussions between the Town and a developer, a normal part of the
development review process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further concluded that the claim Paul was using the newspaper as a
\u201cpropaganda tool\u201d was not actionable misconduct.
Also according to the report, Farrell\u2019s primary concerns was Paul\u2019s mental
fitness for office, suggesting she sign a \u201chold harmless\u201d or
\u201cindemnification\u201d agreement to protect the Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maher reported, \u201cI am neither qualified nor capable of rendering an opinion
on this issue. I met Paul in person in my office. I observed no issues of
hygiene or deficiencies in self-care. Paul exhibited no difficulties with
speech and spoke clearly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul expressed relief at the outcome, saying, \u201cI\u2019m happy this ended the way
it did. Maybe now I can get back to focusing on what I was elected to do and
correct some of the problems we have in town,\u201d she said Monday.
She added, \u201cI think with the new Town Manager in office, things are headed
in a much better direction for the residents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul\u2019s attorney, Kevin Coyle, commented, \u201cThis investigation was completely
unwarranted and a total waste of taxpayer money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cEthics Complaint Against Debra Paul, Opinion and Review of Complaint\u201d
report is expected to be discussed at the Town Council\u2019s Monday, Aug. 18
meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The full report can be found on the town website in the Town Council Agenda<\/a>
for Aug. 18th<\/p>\n\n\n\n