07-07-2025
Paul Toner, Cambridge councilor charged in brothel investigation, says he will not seek reelection
Local, state, and federal authorities teamed up to bust the brothel network that operated out of high-end apartment and condo buildings in December 2023.
Advertisement
In March, Toner, a lawyer, former teacher, and labor leader,
Prosecutors said they brought charges against the 28 men (out of 2,800) who had the most communications via phone calls and text messages with the brothel.
For Toner, that was 432 calls and texts. Police said Toner paid for sex at least 13 times between February and September 2023.
In March, when Toner attended his
'As this is an ongoing legal matter, I will not contest the statements being circulated . . . regarding this case,' Toner said, reading from a statement.
Advertisement
At the next meeting, a week later, he issued an apology.
'First, I'm ashamed to have my name associated with this case,' Toner said, according to media reports.
Toner did not respond to a request for comment from the Globe on Monday afternoon. Neither did his eight fellow councilors.
His court case is still pending.
'As candidates have begun pulling nomination papers for the coming City Council election, I am writing to inform you that I have made the decision not to seek re-election,' Toner wrote in the post addressed to 'friends and supporters.'
He thanked the man who had encouraged him to seek another term.
'I believe deeply in public service and serving my community,' Toner wrote, reflecting on his early involvement in politics, at age 12, waving campaign signs for Mike Dukakis.
Toner said his uncle, a Teamster at UPS, was working on the governor's campaign and recruited him.
Toner, a former teacher at Cambridge Public Schools, president of the teacher's union, and vice president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, said he was 'very proud' of his career and reputation as an advocate for 'both residents and businesses.'
'I believe my service on the Council as a moderate who tried to bring a balanced and common-sense perspective to the issues facing the city contributed to real progress that serves all of Cambridge,' Toner, a Democrat, wrote.
'I have done my best to represent you all and I am thankful that you have given me that opportunity,' he added.
Tonya Alanez can be reached at
