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Boston mayor Michelle Wu used campaign funds to pay for her exclusive 'electeds of color' holiday party which was held at a taxpayer-funded building.
The Democrat was embroiled in scandal when an aide accidentally emailed all city council members an invitation to the party, then rescinded invites to the seven white council members.
Critics slammed the party as racist, although the Massachusetts Attorney General determined the event did not violate state discrimination laws because it was not open to the public.
Emails obtained by the Boston Herald found although the party was hosted by Wu at the city-owned Parkman House on December 13 and city officials helped plan the party, she paid for it using money from her $1.4 million campaign war chest.
'For the electeds of color party on 12/13, we're expecting 20-25 people,' Ellen Quinn, the mayor's director of state relations for the intergovernmental relations department, wrote in an email on November 16.
Records show Boston Mayor Michelle Wu used her own campaign funds to pay for the 'electeds of color' holiday party which was held at a taxpayer-funded building
Wu, was unapologetic outside the event, defending it as she claimed 'some of the folks who are concerned might also just not have all the information'
'I checked with Miriam in our office and IGR can pay for the food for that party, IGR can handle the electeds invites for both 12/13 and 12/14, but confirming that we don't have to actually do any of the food ordering.'
Quinn's department did not pay for the food and records show the mayor's campaign spent more than $17,000 on holiday party-related expenses, including $3,334 on November 16 for Gourmet Caterers.
City officials described the catering purchase as being booked for two separate events in emails discussing the electeds of color and the general holiday party.
Although it was ruled the party did not violate discrimination laws and was paid for with Wu's personal funds, critics are still slamming the elected officials for hosting a racially segregated party.
'They used City employees to plan it and a City building to host it. Does that mean her campaign paid for the employees, too,' said Michelle Efendi on X.
'Does it really matter where the money came from for such a blatantly racist event,' said Jay Erhard.
An invitation for the Democratic mayor's controversial party was accidentally sent out all of the city councilmembers by her aide, Denise DosSantos, who promptly disinvited the seven white council members.
'I wanted to apologize for my previous email regarding a Holiday Party for tomorrow,' DosSantos, a black woman, wrote. 'I did send that to everyone by accident, and I apologize if my email may have offended or came across as so. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.'
The move quickly divided Boston's city council, with some saying they were not offended by the party while others questioned Wu's judgement.
Wu defended her decision to host the partying saying it is tradition and proudly posted a group photo from the event on her Instagram.
The Massachusetts Attorney General determined the event did not violate state discrimination laws because it was not open to the public
Wu's director of City Council relations, Denise DosSantos, reportedly invited the chamber to the exclusive event by accident, and apologized for any offense caused
The 'Electeds of color' event included Rep. Ayanna Pressley's husband Conan Harris, who served 10 years in prison for drug-trafficking and now works as a consultant focused on 'diversifying the pipeline of workforce leadership and personnel.'
Also present was outgoing City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, who earlier this year was fined for violating the state's Conflict of Interest Law by representing his brother in lawsuit.
Incoming councilor Enrique Pepen, who has been fined for violating campaign finance law, was also a guest, along with Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, fined for creating a paid position for his niece.
The group also featured state senator Liz Miranda, who recently made headlines when she declined to sign a ceremonial resolution condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel because, she said, 'the IDF had had a history of going above and beyond what you see in terms of what I would actually call revenge.'
Rep. Samantha Montano, Rep Russell Holmes, Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, City Hall aide Juan Lopez, Rep. Brandy Fluker-Oakley and Rep. Chris Worrell were also all in attendance.