Boston City Council Speaker Calls Out Lara, Arroyo

Boston’s city council president has spoken out about “troubling ethical and legal lapses” between two of his fellow councilmen, Kendra Lara and Ricardo Arroyo, who recently made headlines.

Boston City Council President Ed Flynn said Wednesday that Boston residents deserve better leadership from the city after police say Lara was involved in a crash in Jamaica Plain while driving an unregistered vehicle and no insurance with a revoked license, and Arroyo admitted to violating the state’s conflict of interest law.

“Boston residents deserve positive and responsible leadership from Boston City Council. Ethical and legal issues continue to reflect poorly on Council members, and Boston residents deserve better,” said Flynn, the son of former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn, in a statement posted on Twitter Wednesday.

Lara has been arraigned in West Roxbury District Court to answer charges of operating a motor vehicle after suspension, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle without insurance. Lara also had her child in the back seat of the vehicle, but not in a booster seat or car seat, according to police.

It was unclear Wednesday when Lara will appear in court to face the charges.

Kendra Lara (City of Boston)

Around 4:30 p.m. Friday, police responded to a report of a crash at a home in the area of 803 Center St. in Jamaica Plain.

Lara’s vehicle went through the metal fence outside the house, then crashed and went over bushes before crashing into the left side of the house, causing significant damage to the house. say the police in their report. Boston 25 News collected video showing a front yard fence down.

According to the police report, the Boston City Councilman crashed an “unregistered” car with a “revoked license.” According to the police report, the Boston City Councilman crashed an “unregistered” car with a “revoked license.”

“Many Boston residents have contacted me regarding their concerns about the recent car accident in Jamaica Plain,” Flynn said. “First of all, it is fortunate that councilor Lara and her son, as well as nearby property owners, motorists, pedestrians or passers-by, were not seriously injured, and we wish them a speedy recovery. We thank our dedicated first responders for their professionalism in ensuring everyone was safe and treated appropriately for their injuries.”

“However, residents of the City of Boston are concerned about the disturbing details in the reports of this incident, which allegedly include an unregistered vehicle, a revoked driver’s license, no auto insurance, an expired inspection sticker and the lack of a booster seat for the vehicle. child,” Flynn said.

Ricardo Arroyo

Boston 25 reached out to Lara’s office for comment Wednesday.

“The councilwoman has no comment at this time beyond her initial press release,” a spokesperson for Lara responded.

The Jamaica Plain accident occurred the same week that “Arroyo admitted to ethics violations and was fined $3,000 by the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission,” Flynn said.

On June 27, Arroyo admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by continuing to represent her brother in a civil suit against him after he became a city official.

“Arroyo’s representation of his brother in the lawsuit involving the City of Boston while he served as a city councilman violated the law’s prohibition on conflicts of interest against city employees, including elected officials, which act as an agent or attorney for any person other than the municipality in relation to matters in which the municipality is a party or has a direct and substantial interest”, according to the State Ethics Commission.

Flynn said the incidents involving Lara and Arroyo “and others in the past, continue to draw negative attention to the institution of Boston City Council and distract our city from focusing on the business of the people.” Flynn said.

“The people of Boston deserve the highest standards of strong and ethical leadership,” Flynn said. “Also, they want elected officials who show maturity, take responsibility as adults, and demonstrate an ability to follow the same basic rules and norms as the people they serve when we are placed in positions of public trust.”

“Bostonians deserve leaders who respect their constituents and take their responsibilities seriously, especially during these difficult times,” Flynn said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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