Providence City Council Staffer Threatens Councilman
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Thursday was a quiet afternoon in Providence City Hall until about 4:00 PM when junior Providence city council staffer Michael Cotugno blew up and started screaming at Providence Councilman Michael Correia.
Sources tell GoLocal that Cotugno was angered because Correia who represents the 6th Ward had asked and questioned other council members about a proposed raise for Cotugno.
Cotugno is the son of long-standing political operative Edward Cotugno who over the years worked on campaigns for the late Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci, former Governor Ed DiPrete, and most recently Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello. The older Cotugno was a campaign consultant and was involved with Mattiello's close victory over Republican Steve Frias in 2016.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOn Thursday, Cotugno called Correia earlier in the day and screamed on the phone at him and then challenged the Councilman when he arrived in the City Council office.
The argument started initially in the office and then spilled out into the hallway outside the Council office where both city employees and visitors to city hall heard the shouting.
Peacemaker
Ultimately, Councilman Nick Narducci had to defuse the argument. He represents the 4th Ward — primarily the North End of the city.
“It was a misunderstand. It was unfortunate,” Councilman Correia told GoLocal Friday night when he confirmed the incident.
“It is over .. we are moving forward,” added Correia.
Correia represents the Mount Pleasant, Manton, Olneyville, and Fruit Hill neighborhoods and he is recognized as a champion for fighting against crime and graffiti in the City.
“The staff should not involve themselves in the City’s politics,” said former Council President Luis Aponte, "This episode is disappointing." Aponte recently resigned as Council President and is facing charges.
Junior Staffer
Presently, Cotugno is a Constituent Services Coordinator in the Council office. According to his job description he, “manages constituent requests, organizes community meetings and events for councilors. Oversees lobbying efforts to promote Council's legislative agenda.”
Cotugno reached at home said, "Well if you got the story, you got the story, but I have no comment."
To date no disciplinary actions have been taken against Cotugno, according to members of the Council.
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