Town Councilor Deb Paul began her week with favorable news: all ethics complaints filed against her have been dismissed.
On Monday, Aug. 11, attorney Eric A. Maher of Donahue Tucker & Ciandella, PLLC, released a report concluding that the three complaints, lodged by John Farrell, dated April 30, May 1, and May 8, 2025, were all either “Unfounded, Not Sustained, Inconclusive, or Outside the Scope of the Investigation.”
Farrell, who lost his Town Council seat to Paul and Dan Bouchard in March, accused Paul of violating the Town Charter, engaging in “abhorrent and abusive” behavior toward employees, committing perjury, and using her elected position to benefit the Londonderry Times, the newspaper she owns. Across the three complaints, Farrell listed 16 reasons why he believed Paul should be removed from office.
Maher, retained as an independent investigator, found no basis for removal. Over the past several weeks, he interviewed Paul, Farrell, Police Chief Kim Bernard, Assistant Town Manager Kellie Caron, and Recreation Director Doug Cole before issuing his findings.
In his report, Maher wrote: “Despite asking the questions of the various individuals noted above, several of whom appeared to have a long and contentious history with Paul, not one was able to provide any clear instance in which Paul had sought to use her position on the Town Council to benefit the Londonderry Times. No interviewee identified an instance where Paul sought to compel Town employee cooperation with the newspaper. No interviewee identified an instance where Paul disclosed confidential information to the newspaper. While there is rumor and supposition, no interviewee identified any specific instance of misconduct in this regard.”
Maher also note, “There is no solicitation for advertising and no suggestion that Paul or the Londonderry Times would receive financial compensation from the Town for running a story.”
Addressing an allegation of “pay-to-play” by Farrell, Maher found it unfounded, citing Planning Board meeting minutes from April 9, 2025, which confirmed Paul’s explanation that her “give and take” remark referred to discussions between the Town and a developer, a normal part of the development review process.
He further concluded that the claim Paul was using the newspaper as a “propaganda tool” was not actionable misconduct.
Also according to the report, Farrell’s primary concerns was Paul’s mental fitness for office, suggesting she sign a “hold harmless” or “indemnification” agreement to protect the Town.
Maher reported, “I am neither qualified nor capable of rendering an opinion on this issue. I met Paul in person in my office. I observed no issues of hygiene or deficiencies in self-care. Paul exhibited no difficulties with speech and spoke clearly.”
Paul expressed relief at the outcome, saying, “I’m happy this ended the way it did. Maybe now I can get back to focusing on what I was elected to do and correct some of the problems we have in town,” she said Monday.
She added, “I think with the new Town Manager in office, things are headed in a much better direction for the residents.”
Paul’s attorney, Kevin Coyle, commented, “This investigation was completely unwarranted and a total waste of taxpayer money.”
The “Ethics Complaint Against Debra Paul, Opinion and Review of Complaint” report is expected to be discussed at the Town Council’s Monday, Aug. 18 meeting.
The full report can be found on the town website in the Town Council Agenda for Aug. 18.