Ethics commission to investigate Providence councilman

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The Providence Ethics Commission has voted to open an investigation into a city councilman.

WPRI reports the commission voted Wednesday to investigate a complaint that a top public works official made against Councilman Michael Correia.

In August, Department of Public Works Deputy Director Michael McKenna filed the complaint claiming that Correia “uses DPW assets, resources and personnel for political and personal gain.”

The complaint accuses Correia of using his authority as a councilman to circumvent “the proper channels” for public works requests.

Chairman Andrew Kanter says the commissioners determined that if the complaint is true it would constitute a violation of the Code of Ethics.

McKenna has also filed a defamation lawsuit alleging Correia has made false statements about him. Correia has called the lawsuit a “political stunt.”