Revere councilor, DPW head scuffle

REVERE – It was resolved last year but hard feelings over a state probe into the city public works department sparked a physical altercation Thursday between Public Works Director Donald Goodwin and City Councilor at Large John Correggio.The brief but – from Correggio’s perspective – painful exchange in Buonfiglio Funeral Home could prompt a legal follow up response from Correggio.Correggio on Friday morning said he is consulting with his attorney about filing a criminal complaint against Goodwin today in Chelsea District Court. If it is filed, the complaint will be reviewed by a clerk magistrate who will decide if there is cause to summon Goodwin to court.Correggio said the exchange occurred shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday as he was leaving Buonfiglio after attending a wake for the wife of former Councilor William Flynn. He said Goodwin walked into the funeral home, spotted him, and said, “I hope you enjoy your last six months in office” – a reference to the November municipal elections.Correggio said after he responded with a “derogatory” remark, Goodwin grabbed him by the neck, forced him toward the door, saying, “Let’s settle it outside.””He’s a big guy, he was pushing me forward,” Correggio said.Goodwin is 53 years old and Correggio is 61.Goodwin acknowledged making the “six months” remark but said his only physical contact with Correggio involved placing a hand on the councilor’s shoulder. The pair, Goodwin said, have a nearly 20-year-long history of personal animosity that includes what Goodwin termed recent attempts by Correggio to get involved in DPW personnel matters.”He’s interfering with the every day operations,” Goodwin said.Goodwin said he did ask Correggio to step outside the funeral home but said he added, “OK, we’ll do it later.”Correggio said he experienced severe neck pain after the confrontation and went to the hospital to have his neck examined. He said hospital personnel gave him a diagnosis of severe muscle strain.The exchange between the pair was not the first, Correggio said, since last November when the state Auditor released a report on public works operations examining the department’s inventory controls.The report and a previous Ethics Commission probe that led to two DPW employees’ resignations did not fault Goodwin for shortcomings in the department.Despite the report’s conclusions, Correggio said Goodwin has been angry with him since the report’s release.”He has constantly stalked me since I called for his resignation after the audit report,” he said.Goodwin said the Buonfiglio confrontation also included a remark by Correggio to Buonfiglio about finding a coffin big enough for Goodwin.”I plan to go to your collation and eat all the food,” Goodwin quoted Correggio as saying.A police report on the incident quoted Correggio as saying to the funeral home owner, “Do you have a pine box big enough to fit him (Goodwin)?”