$34K in dark $$$ propping up O'Connell campaign

Borges demands O'Connell come clean on secret plot that raised $34,000 from seven individuals doing business with the city

TAUNTON - Embattled Mayor Shaunna O'Connell's campaign has been caught running a dark money scheme that used a right-wing Super PAC to raise $34,000 from seven individuals whose firms are doing business with the city.

The funds have been spent on a streaming TV ad campaign and to pay the law firm that represented O'Connell in her domestic violence/assault and battery criminal case.

"The corruption in this mayor's office knows no bounds," said City Councilor Estele Borges, who is challenging O'Connell. "Voters are sick and tired of the unethical, dishonest behavior. This is yet another example of Shaunna O'Connell acting like she is above the law. Tauntonians are tired of there being one set of rules for them and another for her. Funneling money from people doing millions of dollars of business in Taunton is pay-to-play at its worst. Taunton deserves better."

The Super PAC, Restoring American Values Inc. is based in Wisconsin and is run by Thomas Datwyler who has a track record of violating Federal Elections Commission rules while supporting right wing Republican candidates, including former New York Congressman George Santos who was forced to resign and later convicted of fraud.

View Office of Campaign and Political Finance filings of Restoring American Values, Inc.

Despite ads running on streaming services since September, the organization only filed with the state's Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) on October 21, which means it was operating illegally in Massachusetts for over a month. The filing states that the PAC exists to "promote conservative values across Taunton."

The list of donors to the Restoring American Values, Inc. includes:

• Joseph Di Pietro of Pembroke (Celco Construction Corp. - $3,000)

• Curtis Edgin of Easthampton (Caolo & Bieniek Architects - $5,000)

• John Horton of Bourne (HM LOPES LLC - $5,000)

• Marcello Louro of Fall River (LaL Construction Co. - $8,000)

• (Dsm Property Group LLC - $5,000)

• Diane Perry of Taunton (G. Lopes Construction, Inc - $3,000)

• Patrick Tompkins of Waltham (Cta Construction Managers LLC - $5,000)

Many of these donors have contracts with the City of Taunton for services ranging from paving to work on the new public safety building. The maximum annual individual contribution allowed to a municipal campaign is $1,000.

Expenditures by the Super PAC include $8,500 for the Law Office of James McMahon, the firm that represented O'Connell in court when she was charged with assault and battery on a family member several months ago and became the only mayor in Massachusetts to serve on probation while in office. The other major expenditure was $20,500 for advertising.

Four weeks ago, the Borges campaign was made aware of illegal ads running on Apple TV, and filed a complaint with OCPF. It has since learned the ads are also running on the Tubi streaming service and other digital platforms. Borges is now repeating her demand that O'Connell disclose the financial details of this advertising purchase, and return all donations that were illegally solicited and received.

The ads in question, which feature O'Connell speaking directly to the camera, initially violated at least three campaign finance laws:

1. According to the ad's disclaimer, Restoring American Values, Inc paid for these ads. In Massachusetts, corporations cannot donate to or make expenditures on behalf of a campaign.

2. Restoring American Values, Inc. had not filed with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance prior to launching its ad campaign. All political activity in Massachusetts must be reported to this entity. It only filed after more than a month and multiple campaign finance complaints were issued.

3. Despite the ad claiming the ad is "Not authorized by any candidate or committee," Mayor O'Connell and/or people associated with her office and campaign clearly coordinated with the outside organization because she is staring right into the camera when making the statement, and the video itself has not been located on any public platform that the outside organization could have lifted if from. Campaign finance law dictates that no Independent Expenditure PAC (IE PAC), more commonly known as a SuperPAC may coordinate with a candidate's campaign.

Now that donors have been made public, additional questions have arisen, including who solicited the illegal contributions, how did O'Connell coordinate with the SuperPAC, and what promises were made for these donations?

“It defies logic that eight individuals with financial stakes in Taunton would spontaneously donate thousands of dollars to a Wisconsin Super PAC with a reputation for unethical practices,” Borges said.

Borges is calling for a full criminal investigation to be launched into this illegally operating organization and its backers.

Former Mayors Nunes and Hoye endorse Borges: “She has what it takes.”

Former Taunton Mayors Tom Hoye and Robert Nunes, both of whom were among the most popular and effective mayors in the history of the city, have endorsed City Councilor Estele Borges in her run against embattled incumbent Shaunna O'Connell.

Hoye issued the following statement last night: "Having been in the position for almost 8 years and navigating through some difficult times I know what it takes to be Mayor, and Estele Borges has what it takes. I have known Estele for more than 30 years and she is a person of integrity, and has the skill set and drive to be a fabulous Mayor. She is one of the hardest workers that I know and she is ready to lead our city. Please join me in supporting Estele for Mayor!"

Nunes also recently endorsed Borges, saying: "I haven’t waded into Taunton municipal elections in a while. As a former mayor, I’ve usually preferred to watch from the sidelines, but this year, I cannot sit idly by. Integrity and character are important to me, especially as mayor. I strongly believe those qualities matter. That’s why I am proud to endorse Estele Borges for Mayor. Estele will listen to people, treat others with respect and show fairness in leading our city. Please join me in supporting Estele for Mayor."

Borges welcomed the endorsements of the two highly respected mayors, saying: "I am honored to have earned the trust and friendship of Bob Nunes and Tom Hoye, both of whom know what the job of mayor requires and led Taunton with skill, integrity and common sense. I will do everything I can to live up to the high standard that they set."

Estele Borges clear winner of first debate

Thursday was the first Taunton Mayoral debate and Estele Borges emerged as the clear winner.

Estele clearly demonstrated that she has the experience and vision to lead Taunton forward.

Not only that, but she will end the culture of corruption and scandal in the Mayor's office, restore responsible fiscal management to Taunton, and stop sweetheart deals for real estate developers with political connections.

Meanwhile, Shaunna O'Connell was unable to defend her tax and spending increases, safety concerns, stagnant job creation, loss of open space, haphazard development, the fast-approaching impacts of federal cuts, and scandals coming out of her office.

The next two years will require real leadership and real work, not more photo opportunities. Anybody who knows Estele will tell you that she does the hard work – as a city councilor, health care worker, and small business owner – that achieves results. And that’s what she will do as mayor.

Early voting starts next week. Please make a plan to vote so we can bring change to the Mayor's office and get Taunton back on track!

Borges completes Pan Mass Challenge in support of cancer research and treatment

TAUNTON (August 1, 2025) – Taunton City Councilor and Mayoral candidate Estele Borges will be taking “a break” from the campaign trail this weekend to ride in the annual Pan Mass Challenge. She has been participating in the bike-a-thon, which has a goal of raising $76 milllion for cancer treatment and research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for many years. 

This year, Borges is riding from Wellesley to Provincetown (162 miles) in memory of her mother, Eva Borges; State Representative Carol Doherty; Taunton police officer Manny Spencer; and Bristol-Plymouth Vocational Technical School classmate Michael Boucher. 

“For me, the Pan Mass Challenge has always been an opportunity to honor those who have fought cancer, and inspired me with their courage and resilience,” Borges said. “This year there is added significance, given the federal cuts to cancer research and health care. I am incredibly grateful to the many family members, friends, and organizations who are supporting this cause.” 

Borges will start her trek in Wellesley at approximately 6 a.m. Saturday and cycle through the Greater Taunton communities of Norton, Rehoboth, Dighton, Berley, Freetown and Lakeville. She will stop for the evening in Bourne and then begin the second leg of her journey Sunday morning at approximately 6 a.m. 

The PMC's mission is to raise funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to Dana-Farber. Go here to support the PMC. 

Taunton residents deserve a Mayor with high ethical standards and a respect for the rule of law.

My traditional Portuguese-Azorean parents raised me with values that I hold to this day. They taught me that no one is above the law and we should all be held accountable for our actions.

Too often, politicians seem to think that the rules don't apply to them.

Three weeks ago, the Taunton Daily Gazette published a story about the Mayor and City refusing to comply with the Secretary of the Commonwealth's ruling for the City of Taunton to release video documentation related to Mayor Shaunna O'Connell's arrest booking last year.

Mayor O'Connell's response: The City won't follow the law.

First the crime. Now the cover-up.

So again, I call on Mayor O'Connell to do what is right. Obey the law.

Taunton residents deserve a Mayor with high ethical standards and a respect for the rule of law.

Together, let's restore integrity, professionalism, and ethical behavior to Taunton City Hall. We all deserve better.

Why hasn’t Taunton spent more than $1 million in opioid settlement money?

“Taunton City Councilor Estele Borges is questioning why the city has only spent a tiny fraction of the opioid settlement money it’s had in its coffers since 2024. Borges, who is running for mayor against O’Connell, criticized O’Connell in an interview and a Facebook post for lacking a “sense of urgency” and spending only $67,600 of the $1.5 million in opioid funding distributed to Taunton by the state. 

Read more at the Taunton Daily Gazette

O’Connell, Borges poised for rematch in race for Taunton mayor this fall

TAUNTON, Mass. (WPRI) — Taunton City Councilor Estele Borges announced this week she’s running for mayor again, setting up a rematch against incumbent Shaunna O’Connell in Bristol County’s third-largest city this fall.

“My parents instilled in me the values that hard work, education, playing by the rules, looking out for your neighbors, and always treating people with dignity and respect are the building blocks of a great life and limitless opportunity,” Borges said in her announcement. “These are the values that have guided me throughout my time living, working, and serving in Taunton.”

“From assisting aging neighbors as a health care worker, helping hundreds of people buy their first home, and standing up for residents as a city councilor, I am committed to a city that listens to and delivers for its people,” Borges continued.

See more from WPRI.

'Citizens of Taunton deserve better': City Councilor Estele Borges is running for mayor

TAUNTON — City Councilor Estele Borges is officially running for mayor, according to a written announcement.

“The citizens of Taunton deserve better,” Borges said in the written statement Tuesday. “That is why I’m running for Mayor.”

Borges, along with multiple candidates for city councilor, have pulled nomination papers from the city's election department. To appear on the ballot, candidates must obtain at least 25 certified signatures and return the nomination papers by Aug. 5.

The city election will be held on Nov. 4 for mayor, City Council, School Committee, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant commissioners.

A spokesperson for incumbent Mayor Shaunna O'Connell previously told the Gazette that "Mayor Shaunna O’Connell will be running for re-election, but she will be making her official announcement at an appropriate time."

Here's what we know about the city's Nov. 4 election.

What Borges says

"My parents instilled in me the values that hard work, education, playing by the rules, looking out for your neighbors, and always treating people with dignity and respect are the building blocks of a great life and limitless opportunity,” Borges said in her announcement. “These are the values that have guided me throughout my time living, working, and serving in Taunton. From assisting aging neighbors as a health care worker, helping hundreds of people buy their first home, and standing up for residents as a City Councilor, I am committed to a city that listens to and delivers for its people.”

The written statement criticized "the current lack of City Hall transparency involving unprecedented property taxes, development in neighborhoods and selling off public property."

"My leadership will be driven by community input, common sense and facts, not political partisanship, extremism and self-interest," Borges said.

In a statement sent to the Gazette, Holly Robichaud, the mayor's spokesperson, responded, saying that "Mayor Shaunna O’Connell has the proven track record of fighting for the taxpayers."

"The city of Taunton’s property tax level is among the lowest in region, among the lowest of gateway cities and $2700 below the statewide average," Robichaud said. "Mayor O’Connell's record includes increasing grant funding 800% and improving the bond rating to AA+ saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Moreover she is the only mayor to bring a city building in $10 million under budget. She has also preserved 118 acres of open space. Mayor O’Connell has and will always do what’s right by Tauntonians, not a political agenda."

Read the full story at the Taunton Gazette.