10:52 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 18: This story has been updated to reflect comments candidate Paul Fullen made to the Telegram, saying South High Principal Paul Creamer willingly endorsed his candidacy. According to the Telegram, he has text messages to prove it. In a story that ran in the Telegram four days after this post was initially published, on Wednesday night, Fullen is quoted saying Creamer willingly endorsed him. Per the article, he showed the Telegram text messages in which Fullen asked for an endorsement quote and Creamer complied. However, in the texts, Fulled appears to ask for a quote from him as a classmate, not as principal of the school – an important distinction, per guidance from the State Ethics Commission. In the text he says "I'm hoping I could get a quote from you (classmate of '89)..." In the mailer, he attributes Creamer as the principal.

The principal of a Worcester high school who was featured on the political mailer of a candidate for state representative is saying he does not endorse his candidacy and that he did not make comments attributed to him on the mailer.

“I want to make this statement in response to the community reaction to the recent political mailing,” South High Community School Principal Jeff Creamer wrote in an email to Worcester Magazine. “I took a picture with [Republican 17th Worcester District state rep candidate] Paul Fullen in August 2018 because he was a classmate of mine at South High. I was not aware how the picture would be used. I do not endorse his candidacy as we do not share political views. I have been a member of the South High Community since I was a student at South High in 1985. I would never say or do anything to hurt the students or the families of the South High community.”

In the mailer, Creamer is shown shaking hands with Fullen. The photo is accompanied by what appears to be an endorsement of Fullen’s candidacy: “I’ve known Paul over 30 years. He is definitely the clear choice when it comes to education. He’s the father of 7 children in Worcester schools and I know he’s committed to making sure our schools are well-funded and our children are safe.”

The quotation is attributed to “Jeff Creamer, Head Principal, South High Community School.

The photo, which was taken outside South High School, also features what appears to be a photoshopped campaign sign that reads: “Elect Paul J. Fullen State Representative 17th Worcester District.”

School Superintendent Maureen Binienda said Creamer’s brother is married to Fullen’s sister, and he agreed to a photo when Fullen asked. She said Creamer did not ask what photo would be used for.

Binienda also said Creamer told her he did not say what is attributed to him on the mailer.

“That’s not his statement,” Binienda said, adding he would not have referred to himself as “head principal.”

“There’s no such thing as head principal,” she said.

As first noted by Worcester Magazine reporter Bill Shaner in his Worcesteria column Oct. 11, Creamer could have violated state ethics laws by endorsing a political candidate in his capacity as a public official.

According to the state’s conflict of interest law, in general, “a public employee may not use his public position to engage in political activity.” The law prohibits public employees from engaging in political activity, “whether election-related or non-election related, on his public work time; while acting in his official capacity or while in his official uniform; in a public building [except where equal access for such political activity is allowed to all similarly situated persons]; or with the use of other public resources, such as staff time, public office space and facilities, public office equipment such as computers, copiers, and communications equipment, public websites and links to public websites, or public office supplies such as official stationery.]

There are two exceptions to the rule applying to elected officials and public employees who hold policy-making positions. A public official who engages in prohibited political activity would violate the state’s conflict of interest law.

Creamer did not respond to questions sent to him by email in response to his emailed statement.

Binienda, however, said she reached out to the state’s Elections Division and was told Creamer did not violate the law because the photo was taken outside, and not inside, the school. She also noted the photo was taken in August, before the start of school year.

“Anyone can take a picture outside a public building,” Binienda said, reiterating Creamer was not endorsing Fullen. “He did take the picture, but gave no permission for it to be used in a political brochure.”

Fullen, himself a public employee who works as a Worcester firefighter, did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment for this story.

In a story that ran in the Telegram five days after this post was initially published, on Thursday morning, Fullen is quoted saying Creamer willingly endorsed him. Per the article, he showed the Telegram text messages in which Fullen asked for an endorsement quote and Creamer complied. However, in the texts, Fulled appears to ask for a quote from him as a classmate, not as principal of the school – an important distinction, per guidance from the State Ethics Commission. In the text he says "I'm hoping I could get a quote from you (classmate of '89)..." In the mailer, he attributes Creamer as the principal.

Fullen is running against Democrat David LeBoeuf to replace 17th Worcester District state Rep. Kate Campanale, who is running for register of deeds in Worcester. At an August debate for candidates running for Campanale’s seat ahead of the September Democratic Primary (LeBoeuf defeated Pam Gemme and Stu Loosemore), Fullen, the lone Republican taking part, raised the ire of many in attendance with several perceived derogatory remarks.

In comments during a discussion on funding the Worcester Regional Transit Authority, Fullen said, “Our poor people are among the richest poor people in the world. They have cell phones … they have air conditioning.”

On healthcare affordability, Fullen talked about a MassHealth recipient asking for her copay to be waived at a pharmacy before driving off in an Escalade.

LeBoeuf said he was aware of the mailer, and had spoken with both Binienda and Creamer about it.

“I’m glad the truth has finally come to light,” LeBoeuf said. “It’s disheartening that the voters were mislead, and even more unfortunate that Mr. Creamer’s image was used without his knowledge or permission. My mission is to focus on the needs of our entire district and advocate for honest representation.”