Boston City Councilor Files Open Meeting Law Complaint Against Colleagues

Councilor Ed Flynn alleges unlawful behind-the-scenes maneuvering to elect Liz Breadon as City Council president

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:39pm

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Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn has formally filed an open meeting law complaint against the 'many' councilors he says engaged in unlawful behind-the-scenes maneuvering to elect Liz Breadon as City Council president in a surprising upset. Flynn alleges the councilors violated the state's open meeting law through private, unposted meetings and serial communications intended to coordinate the Council president vote.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions and transparency concerns within the Boston City Council, with accusations of backroom dealing and potential violations of open meeting laws around the election of the Council president. It raises questions about the integrity of the political process and the public's right to access information about how their elected officials make decisions.

The details

In his formal complaint, Councilor Flynn alleged that 'many members' of the Boston City Council engaged in off-meeting deliberations and communications, including late-night in-person meetings and sequential office-to-office contacts, to coordinate the election of Liz Breadon as Council president. Flynn said the conduct was not reasonably discoverable at the time and only became public through subsequent reporting.

  • Councilor Flynn filed the open meeting law complaint with the City Council on Sunday, February 2, 2026.
  • The City Council has 14 business days to respond to the complaint.
  • If Flynn is unsatisfied with the Council's response, he can elevate the complaint to the state Attorney General's office, but he must wait 30 days after filing it with the public body.

The players

Ed Flynn

A Boston City Councilor who filed the open meeting law complaint against his colleagues.

Liz Breadon

The newly elected Boston City Council president, whose surprise victory over Councilor Brian Worrell is at the center of the complaint.

Sharon Durkan

A Boston City Councilor who, along with Enrique Pepén, allegedly visited Liz Breadon's home late at night to encourage her to run for Council president.

Enrique Pepén

A Boston City Councilor who, along with Sharon Durkan, allegedly visited Liz Breadon's home late at night to encourage her to run for Council president.

Gabriela Coletta Zapata

A Boston City Councilor who had been seen as the frontrunner for the Council presidency, but withdrew from the race the night before the vote.

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What they’re saying

“Members of the Boston City Council engaged in off-meeting deliberations and at Boston City Hall concerning the election of the City Council president, in violation of the open meeting law.”

— Ed Flynn, Boston City Councilor (Boston Herald)

“Boston residents deserve a city government that demonstrates transparency and accepts responsibility and accountability.”

— Ed Flynn, Boston City Councilor (Boston Herald)

What’s next

The Boston City Council has 14 business days to respond to Councilor Flynn's open meeting law complaint. If Flynn is unsatisfied with the Council's response, he can then elevate the complaint to the state Attorney General's office.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing transparency and accountability concerns within the Boston City Council, with allegations of backroom dealing and potential violations of open meeting laws around the election of the Council president. It underscores the importance of public access to information about how elected officials make decisions that impact the community.