Lawsuit Alleging Hopkins Wrongfully Took Classic Car Dismissed - And Car to Be Returned

Lawsuit Alleging Hopkins Wrongfully Took Classic Car Dismissed - And Car to Be Returned

A legal saga that saw Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins sued over allegations he "wrongfully took" a classic car is now officially closed after two years of legal proceedings.

As GoLocal previously reported, Davide Broccoli sued Hopkins in August 2024 in Rhode Island Superior Court for allegedly “wrongfully taking a motor vehicle owned by [Broccoli] without his authorization and without any agreement with him to pay for it.

The lawsuit then moved to the United States District Court in October 2024

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The vehicle is a white 1975 Morris Garage MGB Anniversary Edition coupe that Broccoli said he owned before the Mayor took possession of it; Hopkins maintained he tried to pay Broccoli and obtain a bill of sale.

Now, the car is being returned to Broccoli, according to Hopkins.

Hopkins on Mediation Outcome

"I wish to announce that through a voluntary mediation process and the assistance of United States District Court Magistrate Patricia A. Sullivan all claims filed against me personally involving the MG automobile by Plaintiff Davide Broccoli have been dismissed with prejudice," said Hopkins in a statement released Friday in his private capacity by Bob Murray. "The parties have executed mutual releases without any admission of liability on anyone’s part."

A case dismissed with prejudice means that the plaintiff - Broccoli - cannot refile the same case, and Hopkins cannot refile counterclaims.

On Friday, Hopkins called the legal proceedings "highly charged political drama."

"I believe with the level of public attention to this matter during my re-election campaign, an announcement of the conclusion of this aspect of the 2024 litigation is appropriate. The car will be returned to Mr. Broccoli, and he and I have resolved our business dealings. This matter is now closed," said Hopkins.

"This started as a sincere desire on my part to pay tribute to my late wife Mary in the purchase and restoration of an MG automobile," he continued. "Sadly, it evolved into a highly charged political drama during my re-election campaign, caused by other mayoral candidates with unfounded personal charges, hurtful hyperbole, and a sad attempt to mislead the public to try and win an election."

"While I will have no further comment beyond this statement, three things should be crystal clear.  First, at no time did I 'just take or steal' any car and any suggestions that I did were disparaging election-year smears by my political opponents.  Secondly, the car was never driven on any road with the city-assigned mayoral plate on it. Lastly, I paid personally for my attorney Joseph F. Penza, Jr. at no cost to Cranston taxpayers for my legal defense," added Hopkins.

Broccoli’s attorneys Stephen Izzi and Michael Kelly did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.