Farina Accuses Hopkins of $225K in Unbudgeted Spending - Hopkins Says Farina Is a “Spoiled Brat”
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Former Cranston City Council President and GOP Mayoral candidate Michael Farina is accusing Mayor Ken Hopkins of what he said has been nearly a quarter-million dollars in unbudgeted spending so far.
Hopkins fired back, saying Farina is spreading "false information" -- and is a "spoiled brat."
Farina Goes Off on City Cars, Police Detail
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFarina said that Hopkins cut two positions -- but says Hopkins embarked in hundreds of thousands in unbudgeted costs.
"Cranston residents take notice: So far our new Mayor has spent approximately $225K in unbudgeted expenses after 10 days in office. The funds went to the following," said Farina
"He proposed raises for his new hires spending $25K on his director's more than the budget. Spending more money on less people eliminating 2 positions and still spending above his budget," he added.
"Our tax dollars purchased him a brand new Lincoln and his DOA has an SUV to use. Two things Mayor Fung didn't waste money on as he used his own car," said Farina. "Call that $80K of our tax dollars spent that was also not in the budget."
"He has moved a police officer from his job in the PD to be the Mayor's full-time driver so that is about $120K between salary and benefits and something the previous four mayors did not use, again not in the budget," Farina continued.
"His Director of Administration calls these expenses revenue-neutral but they were not in the budget, so that means that he is using expense savings to cover these. Well that is our money folks and as of 10 days in our new Mayor has spent $225K that was not budgeted," said Farina. "This money could have gone to more noble causes than raises, cars and a driver especially as our city faces tremendous financial pressure as we come out of this pandemic."
Hopkins Responds
"I'm not sure why this is surfacing but none of it is true," said Hopkins when reached for comment. "We did make adjustments in the salaries but it is the same amount that Allan [Fung] used."
"As for new cars, I was given a 2015 Malibu with 60,000 miles on it. Anthony was given a 2015 Explorer with 93,000 miles on it. Both were surplus vehicles from the Cranston Police Department (CPD). They are trying to find me an upgrade with no money spent. Line items from the existing CPD budget are used," he said.
"As to a six figure driver, that is crazy," said Hopkins. "The Colonel did a security study for the transition team and we decided to open a police substation at the entrance to City Hall. New security systems are being put on the doors. The police officer that will run the substation will continue to do his duties that he had, gun permits, ID’s etc. just like he did at the main police station. He will be available to drive, if needed, just like all Directors in City Hall."
"Mr. Farina is spreading false information. He should get his facts straight before releasing false information. He lost an election in a very lopsided campaign. He needs to grow up and stop acting like a spoiled brat. Maybe that is why he lost so badly," he said.
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