A screenshot of City Councilor Maria Perez from a late 2024 council meeting.
Photo credit: Focus Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Ward 1 City Councilor Maria Perez was terminated from her position at the New North Citizens Council on July 26 following a “thorough internal review.”
A press release on July 26 from the NNCC did not clearly define why she was fired, but the release stated that “NNCC strongly condemns the embezzlement of federal funds and the misuse of 501(c)(3) resources for political purposes.”
NNCC Executive Director Maria Ligus confirmed Perez’s termination in an email on July 28 and at the time would not comment any further on the matter because the situation is currently under a “formal investigation.”
“Her employment was terminated following a thorough internal review and has been referred to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Ethics Commission to ensure integrity and accountability,” the press release read.
In another press release sent out on Aug. 1 in response to the initial July 26 release, Ligus said that she was “directly involved” in the decision to fire Perez.
“I was directly involved in the decision to terminate the employment of Ms. Maria Perez, a former employee of the organization. Such termination was unrelated to any allegations or findings related to the use of federal funds,” Ligus said.
The release stated that the NNCC would not comment further on the matter.
Multiple attempts to reach Perez were unsuccessful. Reminder Publishing was also unable to reach NNCC Board of Directors President Juana Girona for comment. Instead, a statement was left in the decision’s wake: “Our organization is committed to maintaining the public trust and operating with the utmost integrity,” Girona said.
Perez has been a staple in the community and political sphere. She worked at the NNCC for 43 years, most recently serving as the organization’s chief of housing programs, where she managed federal HUD funds for the city of Springfield.
Aside from founding the Puerto Rican Day Parade and the Heritage Association, Perez was also the former president of the Spanish Merchants Association as well as the founder of the Women on the Vanguard organization.
She was also a School Committee member in the past and has served on the City Council as the Ward 1 representative since 2021.
Her firing comes in the midst of a heated race for that Ward 1 seat this fall. Perez’s opponent is Wards 1 and 3 School Committee member Joesiah Gonzalez, a previous chief of development and programs for the organization.
Gonzalez was also one of nine board members at the NNCC as recently as last week until he announced on July 31 that he has stepped away to avoid any “public confusion.”
In that statement, which he posted to his Facebook page, Gonzalez said he supported the press release administered by the NNCC.
“I acknowledge that, like other board members, I supported the press release sent out by New North Citizens Council regarding a recent personnel matter,” Gonzalez said. “I stand by that decision, as I will always support transparency.”
Two key statements also came from Gonzalez’s post: he said, “No board members influenced or decided to terminate Maria Perez for her own actions,” and Ligus ultimately made the decision to terminate Perez.
“It has been an honor to serve on the board,” Gonzalez said. “I have the utmost respect and confidence in the executive director and the board to focus on what matters most: the people of our community.”
Gonzalez did not respond to a request for comment on this matter. When Reminder Publishing talked to him in January after he officially announced his campaign, Gonzalez said he conducted an hour-long conversation with Perez to offer “sincerest respect, honor and deep-rooted love for everything she has done for the community” over the years as an activist and an elected official.
He also added that she was a mentor to him along the way.
“I did need to let her know that I firmly believe that this is the time for new ideas, for new blood to come in and for my generation to add a value to that work and continue on a legacy of fiery advocacy of the leaders that have gone before me, just like her,” Gonzalez said at the time.
The NNCC said they would “cooperate fully” with the state’s Ethics Commission in its review of Perez’s termination and shared that the organization’s employees and board members would have “no further comment on the matter.”
State Ethics Commission Senior Public Information Officer Gerry Tuoti was reticent in a statement to Reminder Publishing.
“Due to restrictions for confidentiality imposed on the State Ethics Commission by statute, I can neither confirm nor deny whether any complaint has been received or if any matter is under review,” Tuoti said.
Although aspects of the termination are still nebulous, a couple of officials have commented on the matter. In a statement, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D-Springfield) said he has known Perez for many years and witnessed her “steadfast commitment to advocating for the rights of underprivileged communities, especially in the North End.”
“I do not have all the details regarding the NNCC’s decision to terminate her, I would hope that she was given appropriate warnings about any behaviors that could jeopardize her long and commendable career,” Gonzalez said. “However, If there is credible information to suggest otherwise, then let the shoe fit and it should be addressed properly.”
Gonzalez, whose district encompasses the North End, added that he has a deep respect for NNCC and what the organization’s board, executive director and staff does for the community.
“I hope moving forward on behalf of the community, all parties can engage in dialogue, avoiding emotions and innuendo that would harm individuals’ reputations,” Gonzalez said.
In his own statement, Mayor Domenic Sarno lauded Perez for her past contributions to the NNCC and city.
“Maria Perez has been a wonderful City Councilor,” Sarno said. “She has worked hard for the NNCC in being a strong advocate for those most in need. She has a stellar reputation of being a champion for our North End community for over 40 years. Any internal differences they may have will now have to be settled/resolved legally.”
State Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) declined to comment on the matter and City Council President Michael Fenton did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
Established in 1973, the NNC’s “mission is to provide advocacy, public & human services to preserve and support families resulting in the improvement of quality of life, with an emphasis on the multicultural community,” according to its website.
