Sullivan’s arrest at MGM is reported nationwide

Nov. 20, 2019 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD – The arrest of Mayor Domenic Sarno’s Communications Director Marian Sullivan by State Police at MGM Springfield on charges of destruction of property surprised many, including Sarno himself.

News of the arrest went national with the story carried by newspapers in Chicago, IL, Las Vegas, NV, New York City, NY and Orlando, FL, among others.

Sullivan pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on Nov. 18.

The mayor has released two statements since the arrest on Sunday morning, noting a change in Sullivan’s status. In the first statement he suspended Sullivan until her case has been settled. In the second he revised it to note that Sullivan is on administrative leave.

The first statement was issued Nov. 17 and read, “Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states ‘I’m shocked and very disturbed by the arrest of my communications director Ms. Marian Sullivan on malicious destruction of property charges at MGM. I’m going to suspend Ms. Sullivan until this case has been adjudicated.  I am hopeful that she will seek the help that she seems to need and we will be supportive of that effort.’”

The updated statement, issued Nov. 18, reads, “Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, under the advice of City Solicitor Ed Pikula and Human Resources / Labor Relations Director Attorney Bill Mahoney and consistent with our standard protocol and procedures of a pending investigation and court adjudication; Communications Director Marian Sullivan is on paid administrative leave.

“Mayor Sarno states, ‘My number one concern is Marian and her family.  This is totally out of character for the young lady l know and have worked with for the past four years.  We will let the judicial process take its course.’”

According to her LinkedIn profile, the 27-year-old was hired by Sarno in 2015 to fill the position left when James Leydon resigned to fill a similar job for District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. Before being hired by Sarno, Sullivan was an assistant manager at Abercrombie & Fitch in West Hartford, CT; an advancement assistant at Southern Methodist University; and a communications /public relations interns for MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. She had also worked as a campaign organizer for MGM Springfield.

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