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Ethics board finds probable cause vs. Woonsocket mayor

3:12 PM Tue, Oct 07, 2008 |
Mike McKinney    Email

By Tatiana Pina
Journal staff writer

PROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Ethics Commission says there is probable cause to go to trial for an ethics complaint against Woonsocket Mayor Susan Menard that alleges she violated the ethics code by leasing four motorcycles for the Woonsocket Police Department from her son-in-law's business.

The commission's investigative report concluded that Menard had a conflict of interest, used public office to obtain financial gain, and entered into a contract without public notice or subsequent public disclosure.

The commission met today to discuss the matter in executive session and later announced its 6-to-0 decision to go forward with adjudication in a trial-like hearing.

Menard's lawyer, Glen Whitehead, refuted claims that Menard had directed anyone to enter into the contract or that there had been financial gain. Whitehead said there was public disclosure of the motorcycle deal and that the lease of the motorcycles was paid for with federal money.

The complaint, filed by retired city police officer Edward Roy, says the mayor bragged on a local radio station about the deal with her son-in-law being good for the city because of the extras thrown in. The March 3 complaint stated Menard leased the motorcycles for $10,000 from Paramount Harley Davidson of Framingham, Mass., and that one of the owners is her son-in-law, James Pilavin.

 
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Comments

The great 10k gold paperclip caper! said:

This is such a joke. Personally, I think that nepotism in all its permutations is unethical, and Menard is far from my favorite politico, but is this really the best these guys could do?

There is so much capital crime, mafia, drugs, corruption in Providence, millions and millions and mega-millions, but in the peasant communities of northern RI the best they can do is steal paperclips from the office.

How much money will it cost us taxpayers to get to the bottom of this caper? More than 10k, I'll warrant, but at least it will keep the boys in blue too busy to research the REAL corruption in this state.

Link | October 7, 2008 3:45 PM
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Jap Cunpolyeter said:

The State of RI will never effectively go after corruption because the persons on the Commission are in bed with the politicians they are "policing." Years ago, the RIEC was in the news constantly and the politicians hated them because they had a director from MA that they could not control. They also had normal, lay people on the commission instead of a bunch of connected attorneys too afraid to take a stance as a commissioner on a case matter that could go before the courts that they all practice before in their professional lives.

It's a truly sad truth about RI: until and unless they start from scratch with normal, unconnected people, this state will always stink and marinate in corruption.

Link | October 7, 2008 4:28 PM
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Bob North Smithfield said:

This is not the first time 'The Empress" as she is known locally has gotten into hot water.
This time she got caught

Menard refuses to talk to the media.
When Channel 19 tried to interview her, in a city park, she claimed the park was "private property" and threatened the reporter with arrest!
She has issued a gag order to her new police chief and all other city employees.

Under her management, the city never raised taxes, but instead piled up huge debts into the tens of millions of dollars.

Several months ago, she announced she would retire by the end of 2008
Then she announced she "may not" retire leaving the city in politcal chaos.

When Landmark hospital faced closure, Mayor Menard took a three week vacation, stunning ever her more ardent critics

Link | October 7, 2008 6:30 PM
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FOWG said:

10k Paperclip

Please click on the link to the RIEC and read their mission. I don't think you will find they have juristiction over matters such as the ones you outline.

Link | October 8, 2008 1:36 PM
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