Springfield communications director resigns after arrest at MGM casino
SPRINGFIELD MA December 22 2019 Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced Friday that he has accepted the resignation of communications director Marian Sullivan, who was arrested in November after an incident at MGM Springfield.
Sullivan, 27, of Springfield, pleaded not guilty to malicious destruction of property last month. She has been on paid administrative leave following her arrest.
Sarno has promoted Bill Baker to communications director and Darryl Moss to director of constituent services. In addition, Sarno welcomed Molly Shea as a mayoral aide.
Baker joined the Sarno staff is 2012 as director of constituent services. Previously, he was a legislative aide to then-state Rep. Sean Curran.
Moss served as the Sarno’s press liaison while Sullivan was out.
Shea is a 2014 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, where she earned a degree in political science and legal studies as well as an honors certificate in international relations. She has also studied at the Northeastern University School of Law. Shea comes in with a background in marketing and customer service experience.
After Sarno’s announcement, Sullivan attorney Mary Hurley, also a former Springfield mayor, said Sullivan felt it was in her best interests to offer her resignation.
“She’s a wonderful person, highly competent and capable. Having worked in a mayor’s office, I can tell you it’s a highly stressful environment,” Hurley said.
“It’s not a 40-hour-a-week job. And giving 110% every day takes a toll,” Hurley said. “Marian is looking forward to starting a new chapter in her life.”
A judge released Sullivan without bail following her arraignment a few days after the MGM incident. Sullivan was ordered to stay away from the casino and abstain from alcohol and drugs.
Sullivan apparently was extremely intoxicated when she entered the casino alone at around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, according to a timeline attached to the police report.
She first walked over to a slot machine and tried to pull the lever with her right foot, despite not having put any money into the machine, the report states. Sullivan then headed to a closed Cal Mare restaurant where she damaged items and took lemons from a lemon tree and hurled them across the room.
She left the restaurant while kicking more items and knocking items off the counter, the report reads. Sullivan then proceeded to the fourth floor of the parking garage and was caught on video kicking two cars.
Police and casino security tried to get her calm and get her to leave quietly.
But she ignored their suggestion and instead attempted to contact MGM Springfield President Mike Mathis via FaceTime.
“I am being held captive in an office with your boys,” she said, before trying to walk out of the office, according to the report.
Later at the state police barracks on Armory Street, Sullivan began texting Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood from her Apple watch, according to court papers. Sullivan later called Clapprood despite being dissuaded from doing so by the troopers.
She is due back in court or Jan. 28.
MassLive.com
