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« Mass. governor: 'Fix was in' on casino bill | Today | Station fund gets a boost after concert airs on TV » March 24, 2008Ethics complaint against Woonsocket mayor on agendaThe Rhode Island Ethics Commission tomorrow morning will consider an ethics complaint alleging that Woonsocket Mayor Susan Menard was involved in the Police Department’s lease of four Harley Davidsons from her son-in-law’s business in Framingham, Mass. The complaint was filed by Edward M. Roy, a retired policeman who ran unsuccessfully for the Woonsocket City Council in November, who alleges that such involvement by Menard is an “egregious” ethics violation. The complaint comes during the midst of major changes in city government, including Menard's design to resign in June. Roy said that Michael L.A. Houle, former chief of the Woonsocket Police Department, said on WNRI talk radio in February that the department had leased the four motorcycles from Paramount Harley Davidson of Framingham. Roy said Houle also said on the radio that leasing the bikes from the mayor’s son-in-law was a good thing because extras were thrown in at no cost. Houle said that the lease was $10,000 a year for all four motorcycles. He said they were being paid for from a Community Development Block Grant. But when Roy checked CDBG funds for the city he found no allocations for motorcycles. He brought his concerns about the motorcycles up during a City Council meeting on Feb. 18. During the meeting, Joel Mathews, the director of planning, said that no CDBG money was used to pay for the bikes. -- Journal staff writer Tatiana Pina Roy said that the mayor’s son-in-law, James Pilavin, is a part owner of the Framingham shop. Records from the state Board of Elections show that he contributed $1,000 to Menard in November 2005, and $750 in July 2007, both years of elections. In the complaint, Roy said that Menard, during a Feb. 19 appearance on WNRI, confirmed that the bikes came from her son-in-law’s dealership. But, he said, Menard said that the money that is being used to pay the lease is coming from the Justice Department’s Local Law Enforcement Block Grants. In a shocking move early this month, Menard announced she would be leaving her post as mayor in June. The announcement came two days after State Police took over the city's Police Department after former chief House and his deputy chief retired after the chief’s ex-wife made allegations that they had changed test scores on a police exam to get her on the force. Before the resignations, the City Council was at odds with the chief and mayor over the lease of four Harley-Davidsons from the mayor’s son-in law. Councilmembers said the lease was signed without bids and without their knowledge. Posted by Mike McKinney CommentsGrampy | March 25, 2008 7:11 AM link Gramy, When the 'Gatekeeper' is the brother of the head of the party of corruption in the state, are you really surprised? Greg | March 25, 2008 9:26 AM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
Corruption..........financial gain is a major reason to get elected/appointed to political office! It's everywhere we look. Unfortunately no overseers capable of nipping it in the bud do so in a timely manner. Hence this article. So where and when does the blame fall? When it's too late and the damage has been done. The gatekeepers have failed the city and taxpayers.