The Everett Leader Herald closes after a costly settlement over false mayor stories
Everett: A historic newspaper in Massachusetts is shutting its doors after 139 years. The Everett Leader Herald is closing up shop following a $1.1 million settlement in a defamation lawsuit.
The lawsuit was brought by Mayor Carlo DeMaria, who claimed the paper published false quotes and stories to damage his reputation. He called the paper’s actions corrupt and dishonest.
DeMaria’s case, which started in 2021, accused the paper’s publisher and editor of spreading lies about him. They even nicknamed him “Kickback Carlo” and claimed he was involved in bribery.
During the trial, the publisher admitted to intentionally writing false stories to hurt the mayor ahead of an election. It seems they were upset because DeMaria didn’t support their business interests.
At a recent press conference, DeMaria labeled the Leader Herald a “corrupt enterprise” after winning the settlement. The paper has just seven days to shut down completely.
With the closure of the Leader Herald, Everett will now have only two local news sources left. Residents are worried about the future of local journalism, fearing it will become too biased.
Experts say this case is a clear example of defamation, showing how damaging false information can be. DeMaria’s lawyer expressed concern that such incidents hurt public trust in the media.
As the dust settles, many are left wondering what this means for local news and the community’s access to unbiased reporting.