VIDEO: Elorza Refuses to Answer Questions About “Piggyback” Lease
Tuesday, July 09, 2019
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza refused to answer GoLocalProv's questions pertaining to how Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare’s office guided a city vendor on how to customize a “piggyback” contract that ensured the lease would be awarded. Elorza walked away from GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle as she tried to ask him questions.
On Monday, GoLocal reported "Providence 'Piggyback' Lease Worth Hundreds of Thousands 'Inappropriate' - and Unravels on Elorza" -- and Elorza, following a press conference Monday morning unveiling a new city fire ladder, refused to answer questions.
GoLocal asked Pare for comment at the press conference -- he refused to answer questions pertaining to the contract as well.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs GoLocal reported:
The emails between Albert Peterson, owner of American Safety Programs & Training, Inc. and top city officials including Pare, recently departed Brian Hull, and top police officials outlined how city officials would shepherd Peterson through the bidding process to win the “piggybacked” contract of $60,000 annually.
Hull recently departed Elorza’s administration after first being suspended in February for improper actions -- Hull suddenly resigned amidst a U.S. Department of Labor investigation into his program.
Now, the Peterson contract with the city has been flagged by members of the Providence City Council.
“Per the city’s contract accountability law in which contracts get red flagged, we’ve put a hold on this particular contract,” said Finance Chairman John Igliozzi.
“Due to intimations of potential improprieties, what the [Finance] committee is going to be asking the city solicitor's office to do, is to review this matter and advise accordingly,” said Igliozzi.
“If there is any inappropriate action on any city employee — then we expect the city law department to take swift action. There appears to be a Brian Hull-situation going on here,” Igliozzi added.
This story was first published 7/8/19 11:54 AM
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