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Public commenters press board over political contributions and an internal investigative report; town attorney outlines scope
Summary
Two public commenters raised allegations about developers backing a political action committee and questioned an internal investigative report into a closed‑session leak. Commissioner Mark Tofano and others disputed the report; town attorney Daniel Peterson later explained the investigation’s scope and evidence to the board.
During public comment Oct. 27, two speakers raised politically charged concerns about recent town matters and an internal investigation.
Alex Freeman told the board he had identified developers and business leaders as significant funders of a Matthews First political action committee that had endorsed specific candidates. Freeman named several people by affiliation, criticized the appearance of developer influence on local elections and urged residents to vote for candidates “the developers do not want.”
Brandon Mills, a downtown business owner, asked whether those named in an internal investigatory report had agreed to an independent review and whether they would provide sworn testimony; he also urged that any commissioner found to have shared confidential information should resign. Commissioner Mark Tofano responded at the podium, called the report a “political hit job,” and disputed the report’s factual basis. Tofano said he would accept the report’s findings “as a badge of honor” if it showed he spoke up for a constituent, and he disputed that any criminal conduct had occurred.
Later in the meeting, Town Attorney Daniel Peterson described the investigatory process. Peterson said the review was authorized by the board after sworn testimony was received on Aug. 21 and that the investigation examined witness interviews, board meeting minutes, a recording identified by the report’s Person 1, and documentary evidence of confidentiality concerns. He noted the State Bureau of Investigation is a criminal agency and declined to equate it with an internal administrative review. Peterson also said the report was prepared jointly with an outside former federal prosecutor and had been shared only with the board and town counsel.
No new formal board action followed those comments at the Oct. 27 meeting. The board approved the consent agenda and continued with other business.
Speakers quoted: Alex Freeman, Brandon Mills, Commissioner Mark Tofano, Daniel Peterson.
