UPDATE: 300-Plus Sign Online Petition Asking Maturo to Step Down

EAST HAVEN, CT - A group of residents have started an online petition to try and force Mayor Joe Maturo, Jr. to resign his office following his settlement of a sexual harassment case against a former employee that will cost the town $175,000 plus paying for medical insurance for the employee and her husband for life.

The online petition originally had a goal of 200 signatures but as of Saturday afternoon it had already surpassed that. The new goal is 500 signatures.

The petition, which is slated to be submitted to the Town Council says this:

“Mayor Joe Maturo needs to resign!

“The taxpayers of the Town of East Haven, CT do not need to pay for his malfeasance. The bill of over $175K needs to be paid by Maturo himself. He is the one who has committed sexual harassment, not the residents of the town! This isn't the first time he has created chaos and put a bad light on our town.

“This is the final straw, our town cannot continue to suffer from Maturo as our mayor. He continuously makes a mockery of our town and cannot be trusted as a leader.

“Sign this petition, let's let him know we are sick and tired of paying for his crimes and idiocy!”

The petition can be seen here: https://www.change.org/p/town-of-east-haven-mayor-joe-maturo-needs-to-resign

The person who started the petition was Christen Alberino.

Patch asked her why she started the petition and here was her response:

“I started the petition because I felt like people in this town (East Haven) are becoming increasingly frustrated with our current mayor.

“People on social media were commenting about 'impeaching' the mayor, and seemed to want to find a solution. As we cannot impeach the mayor, I suggested a petition, then just created it myself on change.org.

“If people want to make a difference, there has to be some sort of action. The voters in this town, no matter what kind of affiliation, need to show up at the polls. They can make a difference.

“This was just my way of trying to make a statement, and maybe, a difference. If people see how many townsfolk are frustrated, and they see how many sign the petition, maybe it will inspire a change in our local government.

“I really love this town. My husband grew up here, our family is here, and we all just want the best for everyone living here. Maybe the mayor will take notice of how frustrated his citizens are, and make a change for the better.”

Photo by Jack Kramer