GoLocal Investigation Leads to RI Ethics Probe into Solomon Filings

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

GoLocal News Team

 

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Providence City Council President Michael Solomon

A GoLocal series looking into the annual ethics fillings of City Council President and Mayoral candidate Michael Solomon has prompted an investigation by the Rhode Island Ethics Commission. 

On August 5, GoLocal reported that Solomon failed to report a city loan for the Conrad Building on his annual ethics filings.  Providence City Council candidate Michael Long filed a complaint with the Ethics Commission on August 7.

On Tuesday, the Ethics Commission announced it would be investigating both Solomon, as well as State Representative Peter Palumbo for his role in the state beach concession contract controversy that saw state Democratic Party chair step down from his post. 

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Slides:  Read Solomon's Amended Reports BELOW

"We have 180 days to conduct our investigation in both cases -- technically we could also seek up to two 60 day extensions as well," said Jason Gramitt, Staff Attorney with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.  "Obviously, anything that [Solomon] has filed relative to the questions on the forms is part of the investigation, but not necessarily all if it.  We'll look at everything that's been filed to see if it's true, and accurate."

Solomon provided the following statement on the commission decision on Tuesday. 

"I have great respect for the the Ethic's Commission and the work they do. Well in advance of today's hearing I amended my filings to correct any errors or omissions.This is not an issue of ethical compliance but rather a paperwork issue that should have been corrected long ago. I look forward to resolving this and will continue to work in cooperation with the commission," said Solomon.

Reports Amended Multiple Times

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City Council Candidate Michael Long

Long, a police officer and combat veteran who is running in Ward 1, alleged that Solomon committed 25 separation ethics violations and "has displayed gross negligence in failing to to meet the reporting requirements of the [Ethics Commission]."

Solomon subsequently filed amendments to reports from 2005 to 2012, consisted of dozens of changes to the previously filed reports. 

"I'm happy the Ethics Commission reviewed my complaint, and found enough evidence to go forward with their investigation," said Long on Tuesday, who said he had to review the amended filings after work.

"They have six months -- so that's past the election," said Long.  "But I don't think this looks good for Mr. Solomon -- it shows how incompetent and unethical he was with these filings."

Democratic primary opponent Jorge Elorza issued a statement on Tuesday. 

“This raises serious questions about whether this man is fit to be the next Mayor of Providence,” Elorza said. “I’m willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt on an isolated incident, but these repeated ‘misfilings’ and ethics reports that need to be ‘amended’ constitute a troubling pattern of behavior. I commend the State Ethics Commission for demanding answers.”

Opponent Brett Smiley did not provide comment on Tuesday. 

 

Related Slideshow: Solomon Amended Ethics Reports - August 2014

Providence City Council Presient Michael Solomon filed amendments to the following Ethics Commission reports following City Council candidate Michael Long's complaint lodged on August 7, after a GoLocal investigation into Solomon's filings. 

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2007

Changes -- See Full Report HERE

* Amended Item 7 by adding "385 Westminster Street, Providence RI 02903"

* Amended Item 9 by adding "Providence Community Action Program" and 
by adding "Board Member" of "Providence Economic Development Partnership" and "Providence Water Supply Board and Providence Community Action Program"

* Amended Item 11 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC"

* Amended Item 12 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "ongoing loan payments to the Providence Economic Development Partnership"

* Amended Item 16 by changing "Not Applicable" to adding a loan from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC
 

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2008

Changes -- See Full Report HERE

* Amended Item 7 -- "Change Address from 1150 Westminster to 385 Westminster"

* Amended Item 9 by adding "Providence Community Action Program" and 
by adding "Board Member" of "Providence Economic Development Partnership" and "Providence Water Supply Board and Providence Community Action Program"

* Aamended Item 11 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC"

* Amdended Item 12 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "ongoing loan payments to the Providence Economic Development Partnership"

*Amended Item 16 by changing "Not Applicable" to adding a loan from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC.
 

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2009

Changes -- See Full Report HERE

* Amended Item 9 by adding "Providence Community Action Program" and 
by adding "Board Member" of "Providence Economic Development Partnership" and "Providence Water Supply Board and Providence Community Action Program"

*Amended Item 11 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC"

* Amended Item 12 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "ongoing loan payments to the  Providence Economic Development Partnership"
Solomon

* Amended Item 16 by changing "Not Applicable" to adding two loans
one from Washington Trust on a building at 13-15 Montrose St Providence 
one from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC
 

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2010

Changes -- See Full Report HERE

*Amended Item 9 by adding "Providence Community Action Program" and 
by adding "Board Member" of "Providence Economic Development Partnership" and "Providence Water Supply Board and Providence Community Action Program"

* Aended Item 11 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC

* Amended Item 12 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "ongoing loan payments to the  Providence Economic Development Partnership"

* Amended Item 16 by changing "Not Applicable" to adding two loans
one from Washington Trust on a building at 13-15 Montrose St Providence 
one from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC.
 

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2011

Changes -- See Full Report HERE

* Added "Water Supply Board" to Current Positions.  

* Amended Family Executive Positions by adding "Providence Community Action Program" and  by adding "Board Member" of "Providence Economic Development Partnership"

* Amended Last Year Business Ownership Interest by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "continuous loan payments to City of Providence"

* Amended Family Debts by changing "Not Applicable" to adding two loans, one from Washington Trust on a building at 13-15 Montrose St Providence and on one from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC.
 

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2012

Changes -- See Full Report HERE

* Amended Elected Office Candidacies from "Not Applicable" to "Mayor of Providence"

* Amended Family Executive Positions by adding "Providence Community Action Program"

* Amended Last Year Business Ownership Interest by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "continuous loan payments to City of Providence"

* Amended Family Debts by changing "Not Applicable" to adding two loans
one from Washington Trust on a building at 13-15 Montrose St Providence 
one from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC.
 

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Prev Next

2013

Changes -- See Full Report HERE

* Amended Elected Office Candidacies from "Not Applicable" to "Mayor of Providence"

* Amended Family Executive Positions by adding "Providence Community Action Program"

* Amended Last Year Business Ownership Interest by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "continuous loan payments to City of Providence"

*Amended Family Debts by changing "Not Applicable" to adding two loans
one from Washington Trust on a building at 13-15 Montrose St Providence 
one from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC.
 

 

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