Storm clean-up controversy in Warwick

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - The City of Warwick is looking into the details surrounding a subcontract worth almost ten thousand dollars that was awarded to city council member Raymond Gallucci.

The Warwick Democrat was paid $9,675 for operating his front end loader for about 60 hours during clean-up after Tropical Storm Irene. Gallucci was hired by Warwick company C.P. Watson, one of 16 companies contracted by the city during a no-bid, emergency procurement.

C.P. Watson was paid about $21,000 in what added up to a $703,000 bill for Warwick’s storm clean-up. C.P. was contacted for this story but did not return our phone calls.

“I did not seek the job,” Gallucci said. “I didn’t think I did anything wrong.”

The Ethics Commission does not comment on potential investigations but an attorney for the organization did tell us under Rhode Island law, an elected official cannot use their position to benefit financially and cannot accept no bid contracts.

Officials tell Target 12, Gallucci's 9,600 dollar no bid sub-contract may fall into a gray area but according to Common Cause Rhode Island, the Ethics Commission can investigate if there's an appearance of a conflict of interest.

“And certainly there appears to be a conflict here where an elected official is doing business with a city they're elected to represent,” Common Cause Executive Director John Marion said.

After filing a Freedom of Information request with Warwick, Target 12 learned the Warwick City Council did approve a $7,000 contract with C.P. Watson for mulch in 2007. Gallucci could not recall whether or not he voted for that contract.

“But my work (with C.P. Watson) would have nothing to do with my vote.” Gallucci said. “If I thought I violated any ethics law, I wouldn’t have done it.”

Gallucci did get charged with shop lifting in 2006 when he admitted taking about 35 dollars worth of seafood from an East Greenwich grocer. He apologized, citing health and family problems for 'making a mistake' and the charge was eventually dropped.

So far, no one has filed an actual Ethics Complaint against Councilman Gallucci for taking the sub-contracting job with the city he represents. The Ethics commission does have the power to launch an investigation without a formal complaint.