Stefanelli Violated Law And Trust Of Voters

Norton Official Abused Trust Of Citizens

by Bill Gouveia

If you are going to demand honesty, openness, and respect from your fellow citizens and local government, you first have to display those qualities yourself.

That is a lesson apparently not yet learned by Ralph Stefanelli, a Norton political activist and town official. Stefanelli was recently cited by the state Office of Campaign & Political Finance (OCPF) for violating state campaign finance laws, misleading investigators, and attempting to obstruct a review of his activities surrounding the last Proposition 2 1/2 override in town.

But through his actions, Stefanelli did something arguably far worse than violating state campaign laws.

He abused the trust of a significant portion of the voters of Norton while cheapening and disrespecting the electoral process that is the heart of every local municipality.

Stefanelli has long been a vociferous voice against overrides in Norton. This past spring he campaigned vigorously and ably against the proposed tax increase, appearing on cable television and at multiple meetings and forums to aggressively criticize both the plan and its proponents.

However, he also engaged in purchasing campaign materials urging a “No” vote without either forming a ballot question committee or reporting his spending, as required by state law.

Questioned about it after the fact, Stefanelli gave conflicting stories. First he claimed he and others got together at a local coffee shop to discuss their joint opposition, stating they all “pitched in” money for the cause. Then when OCPF told him that required filing campaign finance forms, he changed the story to say they only “pitched in” to pay for coffee and meals. He refused to identify the other people.

He then claimed he personally spent only $230 on campaign flyers. When challenged on this by the OCPF, Stefanelli said the organization was wasting its time and that he was proud to have spent his own money to “beat the bastards”. He also stated if OCPF decided to issue a subpoena, he would “wipe my a— with it”.

However, Stefanelli’s tune and tone changed when OCPF discovered receipts proving he had actually spent $1,583 at Minuteman Press in Raynham for 6,500 postcards and 2,000 flyers seeking “No” votes. Confronted with the evidence proving his original story was false, he finally agreed to submit the financial disclosure documents.

One form filed by Stefanelli was 108 days late, the other 70 days. Michael J. Sullivan, director of the OCPF, wrote that existing law did not allow him to fine Stefanelli, but added “If I could, I would impose the $25 per day fine upon you for a total of $4,425.”

Director Sullivan’s letter to Stefanelli also said, “It is clear that your intent was to influence the election and not provide the voting public with any information as to who financed the opposition to the ballot question.”

Ralph Stefanelli went on TV in Norton this past spring and said that during overrides, the public “must demand accountability”. He said he wanted to bring the truth out, and “shine the light” on the darkness. He told the people of Norton they should demand the truth, because in his words, “Knowledge is power”. He told them “I am the spokesperson for voting No” on the override, and defended the work of the “people on my committee.”

But at the same time, Stefanelli hid the truth. He violated campaign laws, then attempted to cover up what he had done. He denied the existence of the committee he earlier claimed to lead. He appears, in many instances, to have had a tenuous and distant relationship with the truth.

Many concerned parents and citizens who he called “bastards” worked within the rules to try and pass the override. They did not hide. It is doubtful Stefanelli’s illegal actions affected the ultimate result of the election, but what he did was certainly wrong and unfair to everyone, including his supporters.

He owes the entire town an apology. Perhaps his original failure to follow the law was simply out of ignorance, but there can be no excusing his disgraceful attempts to cover them up and mislead investigators.

Stefanelli should serve as an example to all local political activists and officials that if you are going to “talk the talk”, you first need to “walk the walk”.

Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and longtime local official. He can be reached at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook