Avedisian resigns as CEO of RIPTA
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Less than 10 days after RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian pled not guilty in court for a hit and run in Warwick, he announced his resignation from the transit authority ending a six year tenure and leaving the department with an uncertain future.
Avedisian allegedly hit another car in the drive-thru of the McDonald’s on Post Road in Warwick back on march 27th, the second car accident for the former RIPTA CEO in the past few years.
He put in his resignation ahead of a board of directors meeting Thursday afternoon, the department expected to discuss the position next Tuesday.
“In the meantime, we’ve commissioned our legal council to engage and finalize the terms of separation of the contract that we currently have with Mr. Avedisian. And those terms will be brought to the board and publicly provided on Tuesday.”
Whoever is picked to lead RIPTA next inherits a bevy of issues, including an $18 million budget shortfall, around a 30 driver shortage, and possible service cuts expected in the coming months.
The exact terms of Avedisian’s separation from the department will be made public at that next meeting on Tuesday, including any information on a severance package.
Avedisian’s legal trouble will continue with another court date scheduled for April 25.
