Less than 24 hours after being arrested on wire tapping and money laundering charges by the feds, Methuen State Rep. Francisco Paulino made a surprise appearance on the Paying Attention! Podcast with Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan to declare his innocence, and then announced he is not dropping out of his race for reelection.
Voters in Lawrence and Methuen will chose between Paulino and Lawrence City Councilor Celina Reyes – who is the hand picked candidate of Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena. DePena was himself arrested on wire fraud and money laundering charges just a week earlier.
Speaking in English and Spanish, Paulino said he was “an honest man”!
“First, I want to thank you Tom and the people from Lawrence and Methuen who elected me. I believe in my innocence I look forward to my day in court,” Rep. Paulino said with his wife Ruby sitting in the audience.
“That’s my statement you’ve been a gentleman to me and you are a professional journalist and I told you Tom, when I’m ready to make a statement I’m going to give it to you. So that’s all I have to say.
“I believe in my innocence and I look forward – me and my attorneys – for our day in court to prove that I’m an honest man. Those charges are maybe some kind of confusion and I guarantee they’re going to clear my name.”
Duggan asked Paulino if he was going to drop out of the race for reelection noting that people are already engaging in early voting and that he is on the ballot in next Tuesday’s primary election.
“I’ve never been a quitter. I believe I’ve done a great job as a State Rep. for both cities and for the Commonwealth and I understand this situation can be a distraction. But, for me, the most important thing is the people of Lawrence and Methuen.
“I ask people next Tuesday to go out and vote, and vote with your heart. But go out and vote. Even if it’s not for me, please go out and vote and express your vote, is your voice.”
A FAMILY MAN
“I am proud of the work I have done. I’m proud of the man that I am professionally and as a family man and also as a human being. Ruby and I – for more than a year have been separated – but she has been with me on this because I’m a gentleman to her and she has been a lady to me and my kids.”
“So that speaks of the value of the man that I am. I believe we have a great opportunity for the City Of Lawrence and Methuen to express the values of your vote, even if you’re not voting for me go out and vote. We need to make sure the people of Massachusetts to know that Lawrence and Methuen have a political power and let’s exercise that power by voting.”
“So I am on the ballot. I’ve never been a quitter. I am realistic and I believe in my innocence and I look forward for my day in court.”
“And I’ll close by saying that if you want to use this statement in any of the media, so make sure you cite my good buddy Tom Duggan and the Valley Patriot.”
Paulino walked off the set and then returned for one final message.
“Remember my legislative office is still working helping constituents. My legislative offices continues to work and they continue to do a great job every day, so if anybody has any issues with unemployment or any other issue, our office is working like we did the first day.”