EAST BRIDGEWATER — August 26, 2026 — The East Bridgewater Select Board held a midday virtual meeting Wednesday to consider whether to retain independent outside legal counsel for matters concerning a June 1, 2026 wire transfer incident. Following a discussion regarding public records appeals, legal costs, and ongoing independent reviews, the board opted to continue using current town counsel Clifford & Kenny.
The Full Story
Select Board member Katherine Mullen requested the agenda item to discuss the perception and value of securing independent outside counsel for legal issues tied to the town’s June 1, 2026 wire transfer. Mullen noted that while existing town counsel Clifford & Kenny is capable, independent representation could bolster public trust and independence—particularly in the wake of a recent public records request.
Vice Chair Carole Julius highlighted several practical hurdles to retaining a new firm. Julius stated that evaluating public records requests follows legal standards regardless of subject matter and is handled internally by a dedicated attorney within Clifford & Kenny rather than John Clifford. She explained that after the town initially withheld certain emails, an appeal to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Public Records Division resulted in guidance requiring the town to provide more detailed, legal justification for withholding documents rather than a generic statement.
Julius also pointed to fiscal and timeline constraints, noting the town has already committed more than $10,000 toward the investigation and faces a 10-day deadline to respond to the state’s public records determination. Sourcing, vetting, and onboarding outside counsel unfamiliar with town files would add expense and potential delays.
Chair Peter Spagone Jr. agreed, emphasizing that the town had already engaged outside independent personnel to review how the wire transfer occurred and recommend internal controls to prevent future incidents. Spagone stated that local officials and police are collaborating with outside agencies and that once the investigation wraps up, relevant findings will become clear to residents. Mullen concurred with the feedback, noting the discussion achieved its goal of exploring options openly, while Julius added the board could revisit the question if new legal circumstances arise.
“I think once this information is brought out, it will be very clear to the citizens of East Bridgewater that, you know, what happened and then, and then, you know, they can see what was potentially recovered if there’s any recovery of this situation.” [06:53] — Peter Spagone Jr.
