Cranston Politician’s Lounge Has Failed to Pay for Outstanding Police Details, But Has Donated to Mayor Smiley

Cranston Politician’s Lounge Has Failed to Pay for Outstanding Police Details, But Has Donated to Mayor Smiley

On Thursday, the Providence Board of Licenses took up the case of Paris Bistro, the lounge owned by Cranston City Councilman Andy Andujar. He is also a state employee and a real estate developer.

The formal hearing followed Monday’s emergency hearing before the board, during which the lounge was ordered closed for 72 hours.  That order was sparked after a shooting took place at the club on Sunday night at about 6:45 PM.

That order expired on Thursday, and the board ordered the club to close for another week.  The lounge was also cited by the board for violence at the facility in March of this year.

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The board did not take any action on the lounge’s operation of an illegal outdoor patio, which was the site of the beginning of the violence. 

Andujar previously told GoLocal he was unaware he needed a permit for the patio. 

Ironically, as a Cranston Councilman, he serves as the Vice Chair of the Safety Services and Licenses Committee.

 

“The Security Guard Ran for the Hills”

According to Andujar, when the fight began on Sunday night, “the security guard ran for the hills; he only makes $25 an hour.”

Ultimately, a man was shot twice on Smith Street. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital.

 

Hasn't Paid for Outstanding Police Details, But Has Donated to the Mayor

What was also exposed during the hearing was that Andujar was in arrears on payments to Providence Police for details. City solicitor Jeff Dana told the board of the outstanding bills, but after the meeting, he said he did not know the amount owed to the city.

While Andujar has not paid his police details, he has made political donations to Mayor Brett Smiley. Andujar has made four donations to Smiley totaling $1,750.

Ultimately, the board is requiring Paris to close until June 18, submit a new safety plan, and provide a police detail for 4 hours on 4 Sundays.