Providence city councilors call for Aponte’s resignation

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

Some Providence city councilors are insisting Council President Luis Aponte step down from his leadership role. Aponte was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday and faces several charges including embezzlement and unlawful appropriation.

"It seems like every time we make progress as a city, we get someone being indicted, someone being charged,” said Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.

Aponte is the second most powerful politician in Providence. On Wednesday, he was in handcuffs before a Superior Court justice facing four charges.

"We need to clean this up here in our city and I call on him to step down and resign from his position immediately,” said Elorza.

Aponte is the latest politician from Providence in trouble with the law. Just last year, fellow councilor Kevin Jackson was also charged with embezzlement. The difference is Jackson immediately stepped down from his leadership role on the council. Aponte is refusing to budge.

"In his current status, he does not present what we believe to be the right image for the city council as a whole,” said Providence City Councilor Sam Zurier.

Zurier, along with four other councilors, plan to introduce a resolution at next week’s council meeting calling for Aponte’s resignation.

"We haven’t seen a lot of leadership over the past two and a half years but the city council president now has an opportunity to demonstrate some leadership by stepping aside,” said Providence City Councilor David Salvatore.

The city and state’s notorious reputation is a concern for Governor Raimondo who also weighed in on the latest black eye in the capital city.

"Enough is enough the people deserve better. I am fed up with it as everyone is,” said Governor Gina Raimondo.

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