Woonsocket City Council to discuss findings of Mendon Road land deal investigation

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — The Woonsocket Mendon Road land deal investigation is expected to be discussed at tonight’s regular city council meeting.

The Woonsocket City Council hired a lawyer last year to investigate a $1.1 million land deal to purchase five acres of land along Mendon Road.

The land was owned by a friend of former Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt.

Badelli-Hunt resigned from her position last November, not long after details of this deal emerged, without official city council approval.

The deal was officially reversed by the city solicitor not long after.

The council had the opportunity to review and discuss a draft report on the Mendon Road land deal investigation and plans to discuss a resolution at tonight’s regular meeting.

The draft report, put together by U.S. Attorney Aaron Weisman, states:

“Baldelli-Hunt and city Planning Director Michael Debroisse appear to have knowingly violated Woonsocket legal provisions that were specifically put in place to ensure that all large dollar amount transactions are, truly, in the best interests of the citizens of Woonsocket.”

City Council President John Ward said he is expected to make a statement at the meeting and says he’ll be open to answering questions going forward.

Baldelli-Hunt has not cooperated with their investigation, according to drafts of the report.

To view the report, you can click the link here.