‘Tell Us What Really Happened': New Bedford Mayor Wants Explanation From Shawn Oliver

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said Ward 3 City Councilor Shawn Oliver needs to step forward and give a public explanation as to what occurred on the night of October 17, when he flipped over his SUV and crashed into five cars before being arrested on charges of operating under the influence.

Mitchell was one of the first on the morning of October 18 to comment on the situation, ending his statement with “The allegations against Councilor Oliver are deeply concerning, and the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened.”

In the days that followed, both former Mayor Scott Lang and current Ward 1 City Councilor Leo Choquette called for Oliver to resign, citing his legal problems as a distraction from the council’s ability to get work done.

READ MORE: Former New Bedford Mayor Calls for Oliver to Resign

READ MORE: New Bedford Councilor Choquette Asks Oliver to Resign

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Mayor Mitchell Demands Public Transparency Following OUI Arrest

In his weekly appearance on WBSM Wednesday, Mitchell told host Chris McCarthy that he still feels Oliver owes the public an explanation.

“I will say that the longer he waits to offer a statement, it would raise a question of whether he’s being candid with the public,” Mitchell said. “And so I would urge him to tell us what really happened.”

Mitchell said Oliver needs to make that statement even if he’s hearing otherwise from legal counsel.

“I’m sure his criminal defense attorney is saying don’t say anything, honestly,” he said. “I understand why a defense attorney would tell a client that, concerning his interests as a defendant, but he’s also a city councilor.”

Mitchell said “his legal problems are just that – his problems,” but that the public explanation is necessary.

“And the longer he waits, I think the more credibility he loses,” Mitchell said.

According to the police report, Oliver told officers at the scene of the crash he was coming from a friend’s house, and that he had previously been at a restaurant where he had “at least two alcoholic beverages,” the report stated. Oliver refused a blood draw to determine if he was intoxicated, telling police he was “burning both ends of the wick” with his schedule of running for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. He suspended his campaign the morning after the crash.

READ MORE: Shawn Oliver Suspends Lt. Governor Campaign Following OUI Arrest

“I don’t say this as a defense, or an excuse for him, but he was indeed burning the candle at both ends,” Mitchell said. “He was working his regular job as a corrections officer, he was running for statewide office, and he’s also a city councilor. That’s three different jobs, and there are only so many hours in the day.”

“We wouldn’t call for the resignation of somebody who fell asleep at the wheel. Even if that person had just a mere drink, it doesn’t mean he’s drunk,” Mitchell said. “So I want to see evidence before I say anything definitively about that.”

City Council Friction and Media Coverage Debates

On Monday, City Council President Ryan Pereira took Choquette to task for his call for Oliver to resign, calling his reasoning of increased media coverage and protests making it difficult for the other 10 councilors “a poor excuse” and saying that if he can’t handle those things, perhaps Choquette should be the one to resign.

READ MORE: New Bedford Council President Fires Back at Call for Oliver's Resignation

Mitchell also didn’t think increased media attention was a reason for Oliver to step down.

“I think things need to play out a little bit more. Just because, you know, this got a lot of attention from the Boston media is not a reason to take a particular position on it,” Mitchell said. “I'm sensitive to media coverage outside the region, whether it's from Boston or elsewhere. That isn't a reason alone to come down in a particular place on this matter one way or the other.”