City councilors call for a no-confidence vote against Aponte

By: Samantha Fenlon

Email: sfenlon@abc6.com

Twitter: @SFenlonABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Two days after City Council President Luis Aponte entered a Providence courtroom in handcuffs facing felony charges for embezzlement, seven city councilors have called for a no-confidence vote against him.

“They would like the council president to resign from his leadership position and they’ve decided that this is the appropriate time for that to happen,” said City Council Press Secretary Michaela Antunes.

Some of the councilors called for the vote did not have such a firm stance on this decision when ABC6 News spoke with them Wednesday.

“We have to wait for the legal process to take its course,” said Councilor Matos after court.

We asked Antunes who was speaking on behalf of those councilors if there has been a change of heart.

“I think that they were hopeful that if given a little bit of time the council president would make a decision aligned with their hopes,” Antunes said.

Other members of the council have been vocal since the arraignment.

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

The councilors are calling for the vote to take place during a special meeting on Wednesday.

Aponte did reply to our comments asking if he plans to step down. His attorney told us “no comment” on the subject.

© WLNE-TV / ABC6   2017