After Assault Victim Tells Story, Monfredo's Worcester Political Ties Remain

WORCESTER — Several candidates in Worcester's 2023 election are reacting to a recent article where a woman recounted her story of sexual assault as a child at the hands of a former city school official.

In the Worcester Sucks article published last week, Heather Prunier for the first time described incidents of abuse involving John Monfredo, the former Belmont Community School principal and eight-term Worcester School Committee member.

Although retired from political office, Monfredo has been involved in the 2023 election as a volunteer, advisor and donor to District 1 council candidate Dave Peterson and school committee at-large candidate Maureen Binienda.

On top of abuse allegations, Prunier also discussed her struggle dating back to the early 1990s to have her accusations taken seriously in a city where Monfredo has deep political ties and runs the annual City That Reads book drive.

Monfredo did not respond to a request for comment after being contacted by phone and email.

Abuse allegations against Monfredo have been detailed in multiple news articles beginning in 1997, when the Worcester Telegram revealed a state Department of Social Services probe after Prunier reported abuse to local school officials. Monfredo was placed on leave several months during the investigation, but returned to his role as principal in April 1997.

According to the Worcester Sucks story and a 2019 Worcester Magazine article, Monfredo has said he was cleared after the 1997 investigation by the district attorney and Worcester police. Prunier's family attempted to restart the investigation in 1998 with help from the state attorney general, but gave up after former AG Scott Harshbarger left the post that year. Prunier told Worcester Sucks she attempted suicide after her experience with police and the Worcester County District Attorney's Office in the late 1990s over the investigation.

As an adult, Prunier visited a therapist, and began discussing Monfredo. In July 2018, Prunier's therapist, Lisa Archambault, emailed then-superintendent Binienda to make her aware of Prunier's experience with Monfredo. Binienda told Archambault she had little power over Monfredo, who was then only a school committee member, not a district employee.

"These allegations are, essentially, anonymous and leave me with little I can do in response. Despite this, you have suggested that I can somehow 'exercise' my 'power in ensuring the safety of our children,'" Binienda replied, as reported by Worcester Sucks. "I can assure you that as Superintendent of Schools, I am ever vigilant about protecting the safety of students within the Worcester Public Schools. I am also cautious about reliance on anonymous information on any subject, and especially when such information has the potential to impact an individual’s reputation."

In 2023, Monfredo has held signs for Binienda's campaign for an at-large school committee seat. He's also made three separate $100 donations to her campaign, according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. He was seen holding signs for Binienda as recently as Friday evening.

Binienda essentially declined to comment when asked about the 2018 exchange with Prunier's therapist.

"No response," she wrote via email.

Before the September preliminary, Peterson told Worcester Patch that Monfredo was one of his two main campaign advisors along with former councilor Tony Economou. Peterson and Monfredo are also neighbors.

"They have both really had me focusing on who I need to talk to and how I need to do this and how I can win," Peterson said in an August interview.

This week, Peterson said Monfredo addressed the Prunier article with him on Oct. 29, two days after it was published. Peterson said he supports Prunier's "courage" in coming forward with her story. Peterson also said he's standing by Monfredo and his wife, Anne Marie.

"I'm supporting them during this difficult time just as they did for me during difficult times," he said via email. "We've made adjustments to how he's contributing in my campaign. The bottom line here is this does not affect my political campaign or my eagerness to create great change in this city. John was one of many, many people who gave their political advice to me in this campaign journey. I am running a campaign based on positivity, energy and an excitement that Worcester has the potential to be an incredible city."

Peterson clarified that Monredo's role will be changing in his campaign, but will also give campaign contributions from Monfredo to charity. Monfredo donated $250 to Peterson this year in three separate donations.

Monfredo has also donated smaller amounts in 2023 to At-Large Councilor Donna Colorio ($75 in two donations) and At-Large Councilor Moe Bergman ($75 in one donation).

The Worcester Sucks article also linked to an Instagram post by Colorio where Monfredo was tagged. The photo is cropped to only show Monfredo's lapel with a name tag. He is no longer tagged in the post, which also features Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, former lieutenant governor Karyn Polito and school committee candidate Dianna Biancheria. Colorio did not respond to a request for comment.