Cipriano Running for Johnston Mayor, But Declares Residency in Florida
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Former fire Chief Victor Cipriano is running for mayor of Johnston but has declared Florida as his permanent residence, according to documents obtained through a GoLocalProv investigation.
Cipriano has declared his 3594 South Ocean Boulevard condo in Highland Beach, Florida as his primary residence, according to online appraisal records maintained by Palm Beach County. Rhode Island state law says that candidates for local, state, or federal office have to live in Rhode Island.
A Johnston town councilman was outraged to hear Cipriano is maintaining residency in Florida. “I think it’s a slap in the face to everybody in Johnston,” said Councilman Ernest Pitochelli. He said the news could hurt Cipriano’s chances with voters. “I think if the people know, they’re going to say ‘Why is he only going to be a resident if he becomes mayor?’”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTPitochelli, who is supporting incumbent Mayor Joseph Polisena in his bid for re-election, said that if he obtained evidence that Cipriano is really a Florida resident, he will bring it to the relevant authorities—the local board of canvassers or the state board of elections—and try to have him disqualified as a candidate.
Cipriano is receiving two homestead exemptions worth a total of $75,000 on his $250,000 Florida condo. In order to receive those exemptions, he had to be a permanent resident of Florida, according the Palm Beach County appraiser’s Web site.
But to run for mayor, he also had to sign a declaration of candidacy confirming he was eligible to be a candidate under state law. The section of state law on elections states that candidates have to be “qualified to vote” in the voting district where they are seeking office. The law says that a person can vote in the district where they have a “fixed and established domicile” and intend on living there for an “indefinite period.”
Cipriano has declared 4 Hilton Drive as his residence in Johnston. But he does not own the home according to town assessment records. Instead, the owner is listed as Carol Furtado.
Cipriano declined to comment yesterday.
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