Residents voice concerns after convicted felon appointed to West Warwick pension board

By Jordan Mazza

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — West Warwick town board members Tuesday night discussed the appointment this month of convicted felon Jerry Leite to the town’s pension board.

“This is disturbing because our pension fund is something that needs to be carefully watched,” Anna Spodnik of West Warwick. “And I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want someone that was convicted for embezzlement watching my pension fund in any way, shape, or form.”

In 2001 Leite was convicted of embezzlement for taking thousands of dollars worth of items donated at a charity event for fallen Providence police officer Steven Shaw.

“A person that violated that kind of fundraiser, for someone that gave his life for his community, it was just appalling that they still continued and allowed him to be sworn in,” Spodnik said.

The town’s solicitor says Leite has the right to be appointed because he completed his sentence more than three years ago.

Town council members said they were unaware of Leite’s record, but spoke of his many contributions to the community and the fact that he’s already been appointed to the Board of Assessment and Review.

“I believe everybody has a second chance,” said Kevin O’Connell, Chair of West Warwick Police and Fire Disability Association. “But do you want to put over 300, 400 people’s personal information at stake for one person?”

O’Connell has concerns about the town’s pension fund, already one of the state’s most depleted.

“I don’t know this gentleman from a hole in the wall,” O’Connell said. “But we’ve got to have some trust. The Town Council should have some trust. I’m not saying the guy’s going to do anything, but let me tell you, if it does happen, you’re going to have a lot of angry cops, policemen, and public employees.”

Tuesday the town council did not take any action one way or another regarding Leite’s spot on the board.

The council may consider removing Leite from the pension board at its meeting next week.

© WLNE/ABC 6 2019