Maynard town official arrested on bribery charge

A Newton man who is the Maynard Superintendent of Public Works has been arrested on charges of soliciting bribes from a private developer, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone announced Sunday.

A release from Leone's office said that Paul Camilli, 38, of Newton, was arrested Saturday afternoon by Maynard Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s PACT Unit. He is charged with corruptly receiving money and gifts, the release said.

“We allege that this town official abused his position of authority, soliciting cash kickbacks from a private developer in exchange for relaxing the inspection process,” District Attorney Leone said in the press release. “Inspection standards are put in place for a reason, and by relaxing those standards in order to line his own pockets, he undermined public safety and violated the public’s trust placed in him.”

According to the press release, "a private developer began a construction project in Maynard earlier this year. Camilli had frequent interaction with the developer because the construction project required permits and code inspections from the Town of Maynard in order for it to be completed. ''

The release from Leone's office follows:

"Camilli would frequently remind the developer that deadlines were coming up and that Camilli had control over how or if those deadlines would be met. Camilli also had many verbal arguments with the developer and made numerous technical demands to be met before he would sign off on specific portions of the project.

"At one point, with a deadline looming, the developer asked Camilli what it would take to get a particular project done, and it is alleged that Camilli made known to the developer that he was looking for cash money in order to see to it that the project moved along easier.

"It is further alleged that the developer later asked Camilli how much cash it would take and that they agreed on a number in the thousands. The developer paid that money in multiple installments in multiple locations.

"It is also alleged that during this time, Camilli began relaxing necessary standards for the construction project, including important environmental protection safeguards.

"The investigation into these alleged crimes included undercover and video surveillance.

"These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.''

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