Revere holds heated city council meeting about missing meter money

REVERE, Mass. — Tens of thousands of dollars in missing meter money led to a heated city council meeting in Revere on Monday.

Two weeks ago, it was reported that approximately $90,000 in meter revenue may have been stolen, and the number may be even higher than that.

Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo said the issue may go beyond quarters in parking meters, as the city is now looking into several departments that take in cash.

Revere Police are in the middle of a criminal investigation into two parking department employees, and said the "serious" investigation is "ongoing."

An audit revealed at least $90,000 of the money never made it to City Hall.

"This is not a 10 month issue, this isn’t an 18 month issue," Arrigo said. "This is decades of mismanagement in that department."

The city council meeting on Monday featured back and forth moments between Arrigo and city councilors about when the problems may have began, and whether or not the money was collected.

"What is the issue here?" Arrigo said. "That I found these issues and I'm fixing them? If we are going to move this meeting forward, then I expect respect from both of you moving forward."

The two parking department employees under investigation are on unpaid leave as a result.

>>PREVIOUS: Estimated $90,000 in parking meter revenue unaccounted for in Revere

Revere Police would not comment on the investigation at this stage, but did say the Attorney General's office is involved.

"I don't want to sugar coat it, and we will see where the investigation takes us," Revere Police Chief James Guido said. "Everyone is innocent until proven guilty."

Arrigo told Boston 25 News that the parking department is just the first of several city departments auditors are looking into.

"There are other departments that handle cash, and we are going to make sure that each department has a deep review," Arrigo said. "That we are taking care that the cash that residents give the city of Revere goes where it's supposed to go."

The audit was conducted by an outside accounting firm, and began nearly three years ago.

It's unclear when the audit will be complete.

Cox Media Group