Barnstable - On July 10, 2012, State Representative Demetrius Atsalis’ campaign issued a formal press release touting the endorsement of the incumbent legislator by former Democratic State Representative Marie Parente. Marie Parente made headlines last month when she endorsed Republican Scott Brown in his bid for re-election to the U.S. Senate. 

Earlier this year, the ex-legislator’s role in the promotion of a relative to a supervisory probation job was thrown into question by a judge's ruling that the promotion must be reviewed by an arbitrator to determine if Marie Parente used her political influence to secure the promotion for her grandniece over a more qualified applicant. The investigation of Marie Parente’s role in the probation department scandal is ongoing.

In November 2009, the ousted legislator was criticized in the media for bringing a lawsuit against the state Retirement Board in an attempt to increase the value of her pension by counting her State House parking pass, monthly walking-around stipend and per diem travel payments as income. Last year, a state appeals court rejected her claims with finality.

In September 2006, Marie Parente was the only incumbent State Representative to be defeated in a primary election. Observers of that election cited Parente’s staunch opposition to gay marriage, anti-immigration and anti-abortion positions as the basis for her political downfall.

The press release touting Marie Parente’s endorsement of her former colleague Demetrius Atsalis included a letter from the ex-legislator that made only scant reference to the fact that Mr. Atsalis’ opponent in the primary election worked briefly for Parente more than a decade ago and otherwise contained no negative information about Brian Mannal or his professional performance.

“I think it is telling that Demetrius Atsalis and Scott Brown both take pride in being endorsed by an embattled former legislator whose political legacy has not only been marred by corruption, but also her vocal opposition to equal rights for gay and lesbian individuals,” said Brian Mannal. “If Democrats and liberal- minded un-enrolled voters do any amount of research Marie Parente they are likely to agree with me that her endorsement of my opponent is a positive development for my campaign.”

For additional information regarding the above-referenced content, please refer to the following sources: 

Marie Parente Endorses Scott Brown, BlueMassGroup.com, June 3, 2012.

http://bluemassgroup.com/2012/06/marie- parente-endorses-scott-brown/

Job influence of Marie Parente, ex-Milford lawmaker, under scrutiny, Worcester Telegram Gazette, March 2, 2012.

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120302/NEWS/103029708/1116

Court rejects Parente pension claim, CommonWealth Magazine, November 3, 2011.

http://www.commonwealthmagazine.org/News-and-Features/Online-exclusives/2011/Fall/001-Court-rejects-Parente- pension-claim.aspx

Vocal foe of same-sex marriage unseated, Parente only incumbent legislator to be defeated, Boston Globe, September 20, 2006.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=158x9902