Cranston mayor calls for investigation of relationship between council president, lawyer

Cranston Mayor Kenneth Hopkins has initiated a probe into the relationship between City Council President Jessica Marino and council lawyer Stephen Angell, citing possible conflicts of interest. The controversy emerged when Republican Council Minority Leader Richard Campopiano raised concerns regarding Marino's attempt to amend Angell's contract without proper transparency. He criticized the council's meeting notices as insufficient and questioned Angell's impartiality due to his romantic ties with Marino. Constituents have reached out to Hopkins, expressing concerns and indicating a potential ethics complaint. Marino, who is also a lawyer, refuted claims of a romantic relationship during the council's vote on Angell's contract.

Hopkins emphasized the need for fairness and transparency in city operations, stating that “bad optics” could harm public trust. He has instructed his staff to investigate the relationship further and report any findings. The outcome could lead to significant implications for both Marino and Angell, potentially affecting their roles in city governance.