The Most Investigated Man in RI
Friday, June 10, 2016
Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien is under review with a criminal investigation, a state ethics investigation was authorized this week, and he recently admitted to GoLocal that his financial disclosure reports are incorrect.
When GoLocal asked Tony Pires, the Director of Administration for the City of Pawtucket, what the status of the criminal investigation of the Mayor is and is the attorney, who has been named a judge by Governor Raimondo will continue the investigation, Pires sent a brief response. “Nothing to report at this time with regard to either question,” wrote Pires in an email.
In is unclear why Pires is overseeing a criminal investigation when he is serves under Grebien.
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This week, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to review a complaint filed by former Pawtucket Director of Administration Jack Gannon.
“The Commission’s decision to authorize an investigation was based solely on a review of the complaint. That decision is in no way a finding of violation or even of a likely violation – just a decision to look into the allegations,” said Jason Gramitt, Staff Attorney for the Commission.
READ ETHICS COMPLAINT BELOW
On April 24, GoLocal reported
The City of Pawtucket hired lawyer James Caruolo to investigate criminal allegations levied against Democratic Mayor Donald Grebien.
Following accusations of criminal misconduct by the Mayor sent anonymously to the City of Pawtucket, the City tapped Caruolo as “special counsel” — who told GoLocal that he is the son of North Providence Democratic Party Committeeman James F. Caruolo, who serves on the committee alongside Mayor Grebien.
The case was not referred to the Rhode Island State Police which is customary. Democratic State party documents show that the older Caruolo and Grebien have served on the Democratic Committee going back to as early as 2011.
As GoLocal reported on May 29:
Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien has admitted that he failed to disclose a business interest on his annual filings with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission for two years, following a GoLocal review.
Grebien is currently the subject of an investigation which was initiated by the City of Pawtucket, who hired attorney and North Providence Assistant Solicitor James J. Caruolo to look into criminal allegations levied against Grebien.
Caruolo, the son of a Rhode Island State Democratic Committeeman, has since been nominated to the District Court by Governor.
In his 2011 and 2012 filings with the state, Grebien omitted Grebien Associates under the category of "Business Ownership Interests," which he had put in his initial filing for 2010 -- and reappeared again from 2013 forward.
When contacted, Grebien explained why he formed the consulting entity.
"Grebien Associates LLC was incorporated in 2010 when my professional career was at a cross roads. The company I was working for, American Insulated Wire which was a subsidiary of Leviton Manufacturing had been sold earlier in the year. At this time I was offered a position to relocate but did not accept the offer. My goal at this time in my life was to run for the office of Mayor and would focus all my energy and resources to this," said Grebien.
Related Slideshow: Grebien Ethics Complaint
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