Felix G. Arroyo

Felix G. Arroyo (born May 25, 1979) is an American political figure from Boston. Arroyo was elected to a Councilor At-Large position on the Boston City Council in November 2009. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Mayor of Boston in 2013 and served as the city's Chief of Health and Human Services from 2014 until his dismissal in 2017 following an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.

Not to be confused with Felix D. Arroyo.
Felix G. Arroyo
Chief of Health and Human Services, Boston
In office
January 2014 – August 2017
Preceded byDaphne Griffin
Succeeded byMarty Martinez
City Councilor At-Large of the Boston City Council
In office
January 2010 – January 2014
Personal details
Born (1979-05-25) May 25, 1979
Boston
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceJamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Alma materUniversity of Massachusetts Boston
Southern New Hampshire University
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life

Arroyo is the son of former Boston Councilor Felix D. Arroyo. He was born in the South End neighborhood of Boston and raised in Hyde Park.

Arroyo attended Boston public schools and is a graduate of University of Massachusetts Boston.[1] He also earned his master's degree from Southern New Hampshire University.[2]

Prior to being elected to the Council, Arroyo served as a field director at Northeast Action and Political Director for the Service Employees International Union Local 615.

City Council

Councilor Arroyo developed legislation called "Invest in Boston" to invest Boston's money in banks that invest in Boston to help promote economic development.[3] He led the effort on the council to save thousands of youth summer jobs and prevent the closures of libraries.[4][5]

Mayoral run

In April 2013, Arroyo announced his candidacy for the Boston mayoral election.[6] He officially kicked off his campaign on June 15, at Villa Victoria.[7] Arroyo lost in the September preliminary election, having received 9,888 votes and finishing fifth in a field of 12, where the top two vote-getters advance to the November general election.

Chief of Health and Human Services

In January 2014, Mayor Marty Walsh named Arroyo Boston's Chief of Health and Human Services. Arroyo was the first Cabinet-level position announced by the newly elected mayor.[8] Walsh cited Arroyo's ability to bring people together and work collaboratively, as well as his understanding of the importance of addressing the needs of Boston's most vulnerable population.[8]

Sexual Harassment and dismissal

On July 28, 2017, Arroyo was placed on paid administrative leave from his position at the Boston Department of Health. Although this was confirmed by Mayor Walsh, no further details were made available.[9] On August 24, 2017, a spokesperson for Mayor Walsh announced that Arroyo had been fired after a "comprehensive investigation" into sexual harassment allegations.[10] Charges from his accuser against the city were dropped in November 2017 and Felix Arroyo now faces a civil suit.[11]

Personal life

Arroyo is a lifelong Bostonian, born in the South End, raised in Hyde Park, and a graduate of the Boston Public Schools. He lives in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston.

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References
  1. "Felix Arroyo's Journey Through Public Education to Housing the Homeless". The Mass Media. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  2. Ryan, Andrew (22 June 2010). "A new Arroyo blazes own path on council" – via The Boston Globe.
  3. For Boston City Council - The Editorial Page
  4. "City Councilor Felix Arroyo Holds Hearing on Youth Summer Jobs". Jamaica Plain, MA Patch. 12 April 2011.
  5. "Libraries spared from closure – Jamaica Plain Gazette". jamaicaplaingazette.com.
  6. "Boston City Councilor Felix Arroyo announces run for mayor - Politics - WCVB Home".
  7. "Felix Arroyo officially announces run for mayor". 15 June 2013.
  8. "Walsh names Felix Arroyo head of health and human services, fills school committee vacancies". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  9. Irons, Meghan E. (31 July 2017). "Boston's human services chief Felix G. Arroyo placed on paid leave". The Boston Globe.
  10. EndPlay (24 August 2017). "Boston city official fired after investigation into sexual harassment allegations". WFXT.
  11. Irons, Meghan E. (15 March 2018). "Lawsuit adds details to sexual harassment claims against Felix G. Arroyo". The Boston Globe.
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