UPDATE: Mayor demands termination of City Manager

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Richard Kirby, the City Manager in East Providence is suspended with pay after the City Council voted Thursday evening.

Mayor Thomas Rose called Thursday for the immediate termination of City Manager, Richard Kirby for serious wrongdoings.

The misconduct includes failure to investigate allegations by a City employee of sexual harassment.

Costing the City $150,000 in legal and investigation fees (so far) in relation to the sexual harassment complaint made by Kathleen Waterbury.

Failure to respond to City Council member telephone calls and emails.

Violating City Charter by hiring outside legal counsel at City expense.

Violating Rhode Island state law by removing taxpayers from City tax sale.

"The residents of the City of East Providence deserve a City Manager that epitomizes a public servant: something that Richard Kirby is the exact opposite of. His corrupt behavior and legacy of misconduct has scarred the City and I vow to rid the community of this plague," said Mayor Rose.

The City Council appoints The City Manager, and serves at the pleasure of the Council.

Mr. Kirby’s performance was found to be unsatisfactory and corrupt.

"When a problem exists, we need to fix it as the City’s legislative body," said Mayor Rose.

"The trust of the citizens in their government is at stake, and if Mr. Kirby is allowed to continue in his current capacity, East Providence will suffer financially and professionally."

According to Mayor Rose, he has received an excessive amount of correspondence as a result of Mr. Kirby’s incredibly deficient performance.

One Rumford resident stated "Mr. Kirby decided to be unprofessional and disrespectful to me. The first time I let it slide. This time I did not. Mr. Kirby was very rude to me on the phone, and told me to never call him again on his phone. Should the City Council vote to keep Mr. Kirby on as City Manager, I would highly recommend the City Council stipulate Mr. Kirby take anger management classes. From what he has said to me, he has anger issues. Mr. Kirby has no respect for women."

© WLNE-TV / ABC6  2016