Motion against W. Warwick Town Councilor dismissed

Long-time West Warwick Town Councilor, Angelo Padula Jr., is eligible to continue his run for the Town Council despite a felony conviction three decades ago.

In a 3–0 vote the West Warwick Board of Canvassers dismissed a motion challenging Padula’s eligibility to run for his Ward 1 seat.

"I just can’t believe how dirty politics is at its worst,” said Padula.

Padula was convicted of a felony back in the 80’s for delivering cocaine. He served over a year at the ACI. His record is now clean, leading to the assumption that those charges have been expunged.

"What you have here is two candidates that ran for office that are sour grapes because they can’t win by the people voting for them so what they have to do is disgrace my good name,” said Padula.

Padula’s primary challenger William Stranahan brought the issue to the town’s Board of Canvassers. He and his attorney believe that the town charter’s passed in 1996 and 2010 prohibit any convicted felon from serving on the Town Council.

"I think that the charter was clear that no elected, appointed or hired in the town can have been convicted of a felony,” said Stranahan.

Stranahan says he’s pleased despite the fact that the motion was struck down because the process brought to light the fact that Padula does have a checkered past.

"It was a big question that the town needs to know the answer to. What type of leaders do we have in West Warwick? That’s what I’m trying to do with my campaign. I want an open, honest government,” said Stranahan.

As for Padula, he stands by the work he’s done on the council since being elected in 2006 and maintains he did nothing wrong when it comes to the mishap in the 80s.

"I maintained my innocence 32 years ago. I maintain my innocence to this day,” said Padula.

Stranahan and his attorney say they will make a decision whether to appeal this decision in the coming days.

(C) WLNE 2016