Lawyer Who Left Cranston and Coventry Jobs Hired by RIDOT - When GoLocal Asks Questions, He Is Dismissed
GoLocalProv News Team
Lawyer Who Left Cranston and Coventry Jobs Hired by RIDOT - When GoLocal Asks Questions, He Is Dismissed
Steven Angell, who left his legal positions in the Cranston and Coventry governments amid some controversy, was hired for a top legal position at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation confirmed Angell’s hiring. “His date of hire is May 31, his salary is $106,952, and his title is Deputy Chief of Legal Services,” said RIDOT spokesperson Charles St. Martin.
On Friday, GoLocal reached out to Dan McKee's office asking for comment. In less than an hour after GoLocal's email to McKee, RIDOT spokesperson St. Martin wrote in an email to GoLocal, "Just wanted to circle back to you. After this was brought to the attention of Director Rocchio, he reviewed it and decided to not go forward with the hiring of Mr. Angell."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAngell was to report to Chief Legal Counsel John Igliozzi. And, Igliozzi, who previously served on the Providence City Council and was rumored to be running for Attorney General, is now considering a run for Mayor of Cranston.
According to campaign finance reports, Angell is a donor to Igliozzi’s active campaign account that has a balance of $89,475.69.
Igliozzi's Ongoing Political Campaign
GoLocal broke the story in 2023 that Igliozzi held a campaign fundraiser the night after the Washington Bridge failed and had to be closed:
While tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders were stuck in traffic for upwards of three to four hours, Governor Dan McKee was attending a political fundraiser for Rhode Island Department of Transportation Chief of Staff John Igliozzi on Tuesday night.
Igliozzi, a former Providence City Councilman, is the top staffer to director Peter Alviti. According to state records, Igliozzi makes $175,926.92 at RIDOT.
McKee has repeatedly stated that he and RIDOT officials have been working around the clock to solve the RIDOT Bridge failure.
Angell left Cranston Tied to a Tangled Personal Relationship
In August of 2025, Cranston then-City Council President Jessica Marino and then-City Council attorney Stephen Angell resigned their respective positions following the disclosure of their romantic affair.
The two announced at a Special Meeting of the City Council. READ HERE and WATCH VIDEO
Marino had pointed words for her colleagues while announcing her resignation. Both Marino and Angell, in their comments, claimed similar activities have taken place among others in City Hall, and Angell claimed that it goes on in the “Hopkins Circus” — a reference to Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins. Hopkins has been under criticism for his mismanagement of the Budlong pool and concerns about increasing crime.
She had pointed words for Hopkins, who she said conducted “personal politics over public good.”
Angell said his resignation was effective September 30, and Marino’s resignation was effective at the conclusion of Wednesday’s meeting.
Coventry Controversy
In October of 2025, Angell also resigned from his position as Coventry Town Solicitor. WPRI reported that there were questions about Angell’s billing.
“Coventry Town Solicitor Stephen Angell resigned [on] Wednesday after months of controversy over access to his unredacted legal invoices.
The Coventry Town Council was expected to vote on whether to terminate its contract with Angell at a special meeting…”
Neither Igliozzi nor Angell responded to questions by phone or email.