Villamaino, a Republican, was a 3rd-term Selectman and a candidate for state representative in the 2nd Hampden District.
East Longmeadow Selectman James D. Driscoll reads a resignation letter from fellow selectman Enrico "Jack" Villamaino III as Selectman Paul L. Federici listens during the board's meeting on Wednesday evening.EAST LONGMEADOW — Embattled East Longmeadow Board of Selectman chairman Enrico "Jack" Villamaino III resigned his position at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, two hours before a crowded board meeting at the town's senior center and amid a voter fraud investigation.
Villamaino, a Republican third-term selectman and candidate for state representative in the 2nd Hampden District, has fallen under investigation for voter fraud after the Elections Office was flooded with typed applications for absentee ballots, many of which noted a change in political affiliation from Democrat to Republican. Those familiar with the investigation have said yet-unnamed individuals researched voting records that had been stagnant for several years, and typed up applications to submit as absentee ballots.
Selectman James Driscoll read a brief email submitted to Town Clerk Thomas Florence just after 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
"Due to matters of a personal and familial nature, I am at this time unable to dedicate to the board of selectman the time and effort which it deserves. I therefore, with regret, resign from my seat on the board effective today at 4 p.m. It has been both my pleasure and honor to serve the Town of East Longmeadow," the email read.
Villamaino did not attend the meeting, and the absence of a name placard for him at the start of the meeting signaled his resignation may have been tendered.
Enrico VillamainoTargets in the investigation have not been publicly named, but law enforcement officials have previously confirmed that state and local police executed search warrants at Villamaino’s home on Somers Road and that of Courtney Llewelyn, a special projects manager at the cable subscriber-funded East Longmeadow public access station. Llewelyn was placed on paid leave on Aug. 13 by Driscoll in connection with the investigation. She and Villamaino have dodged repeated requests for comment.
A spokesman for Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin said his office will send state election watchdogs to supervise balloting in East Longmeadow on Sept. 6. The town has a single polling site separated into four precincts with 24 employees manning the polls, according to Florence. The investigation, which now encompasses Galvin's office, local and state police and the Hampden District Attorney's Office, was triggered when 445 applications for absentee ballots poured in – four times that of the last election.
Villamaino was defeated by Longmeadow Republican Marie Angelides in the previous primary election for the same seat by 284 votes. He is facing her on the pending ballot in September. Angelides was beaten by state Rep. Brian Ashe, D-Longmeadow.
One voter, Kevin B. Coyle, a member of the Democratic Town Committee who was among those whose affiliations were changed, said he had not switched alliances and an absentee ballot had been completed without his knowledge.
Villamaino has not publicly said whether he will drop out of the state rep race.
Driscoll and Selectman Paul Federici both told a packed room of taxpayers, town officials and political candidates that the alleged voter tampering was the action of a few.
"We are as embarrassed as every taxpayer in East Longmeadow," Driscoll said, adding that the suspected improprieties were quickly flagged by Florence as soon as they came to light, in late July.
"It happened within hours," of the discovery, Florence said at the meeting.
Federici said the scandal should not taint the whole town.
"If you get two theoretical bad apples, you don't want everyone in a group to be painted with the same broad brush," Federici said.
Driscoll, who had tendered his resignation in July, to be effective in September, rescinded that, noting that the board never took action on it.
Driscoll said he will remain on the board to see the town through "these turbulent times," but was yet undecided about his future political intentions. He resigned due to work pressures, Driscoll said previously.
Ashe attended Wednesday's meeting and informed the selectmen that he had alerted the U.S. Attorney's office about the suspected voter fraud.
"I just wanted to let you know this is also a federal investigation," Ashe said during a brief public comment session.
Hampden County District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni previously confirmed his office is actively investigating the voter fraud allegations, but would not disclose details about the probe.
"We are still actively investigating, but now that the investigation has produced evidence we’re analyzing it as well. And, we remain in contact with the Secretary of State's office to keep a coordinated effort," Mastroianni said on Wednesday.
