Mayor Fung to answer questions following State Police report

By Samantha Lavien

slavien@abc6.com

One week after the release of that scathing State Police report into the Cranston Police Department and city administration, Mayor Allan Fung will address the public and the city council.

The report was done following the highly publicized parking ticket scandal about a year and a half ago, finding that the department was, "torn by power struggles, unwarranted and arbitrary disciplinary actions and highly inappropriate actions by ranking officers and city officials."

Cranston City Council President John Lanni says he has multiple questions for the mayor. He says he doesn’t by the explanations he’s heard thus far.

"The mayor has to answer why he didn't know what was going on in the Cranston police department,” said Lanni.

The Mayor declined to comment ahead of the meeting. Though he did address media apologizing last week.

"I wish I had done a better job of balancing delegation with hands on action and yes I was too trusting of Col. Palombo,” said Mayor Fung last week.

One of the most controversial issues uncovered in the investigation is the way the mayor handled disciplinary action for Captain Stephen Antonucci, the officer who ordered police to give parking tickets in two city councilor's wards after they voted against a police contract in 2013.

The mayor said last week that he privately fought to bring Antonucci back for financial reasons.

"It's not a choice of choosing one individual over the tax payers of Cranston it's not that at all. In that incident with Captain Antonucci I felt what was right was trying to put a final resolution to that matter,” said the Mayor last week.

Lanni doesn't believe Fung's explanation and says that's one of many topics he wants to get to the bottom of.

"Nobody seems to understand what the relationship is between Captain Antonucci and the Mayor is, why he would put his political career on line to protect someone like Captain Antonucci,” said Lanni.

Lanni says after the meeting the council will look into the next steps that should be taken. He says forming an investigatory committee or taking a vote of no confidence are both options.

Mayor Fung's Office released a statement Tuesday afternoon before the meeting, saying, “Mayor Fung is eager to address all questions and concerns from both the council and the public at tonight's City Council meeting. Mayor Fung has been a consistent advocate for transparency regarding these matters and will continue to be truthful, honest, and open when addressing the assessment. Again, Mayor Fung asked for the assessment in order to solve the ongoing issues that plagued the department. He has, and will continue to, fight for what is in the best interests of the taxpayers, as his record has shown. We are committed to working with Colonel Winquist to provide the taxpayers of Cranston the best police department in the state. This meeting will exemplify the importance of looking toward the future of the department, and focusing on the ability to grow and learn from the events of the past.”

The City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

(C) WLNE 2015