Cranston Council President and City Lawyer Resign After Relationship Becomes Public

Cranston Council President and City Lawyer Resign After Relationship Becomes Public

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Cranston City Council President Jessica Marino and City Council attorney Stephen Angell have resigned their respective positions following the disclosure of their romantic affair.

 

The two made their announcement at a Special Meeting of the City Council.

 

Marino had pointed words for her colleagues while announcing her resignation. Both Marino and Angell, in their comments, claimed similar activities have taken place among others in City Hall, and Angell claimed that it goes on in the “Hopkins Circus” — a reference to Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins. Hopkins has been under criticism for his mismanagement of the Budlong pool and concerns about increasing crime.

 

Marino claimed that the Hopkins administration “has done no better.”

 

In 2023, the City of Cranston was embroiled in a series of controversies involving elected officials, including multiple arrests. Former City Council members Matthew Reilly and Michael Sepe, as well as State Senator Josh Miller, were arrested within a span of under two months. 

 

She had pointed words for Hopkins, who she said conducted “personal politics over public good.”

 

Angell said his resignation was effective September 30, and Marino’s resignation was effective at the conclusion of Wednesday’s meeting.

 

Statement from Councilman Chris Buonanno (R-Citywide) said about the resignation of Marino and Angell, "During this time of transition, I extend my most heartfelt best wishes to my former colleague, Council President Jessica Marino, as well as Attorney Stephen Angell.  As a child of divorced parents, who divorced in 2002, when I was 17 years old, I realized and appreciated how difficult it is for a family to go through difficult circumstances in private, let alone in the public eye. It is my fervent hope that they and their families can now resolve these deeply personal situations in private.

 

“The events of the meeting held tonight came as a total shock and surprise to me. We have probably just witnessed and lived through one of the most tumultuous months in Cranston's politics this century, or at least in my adult life. It is also my fervent hope that all of our elected officials can now get back to focusing on what unites us, as well as on the more important issues facing our city's residents. I am eager to leave this month's events in the rearview mirror and get back to serving the city I love, and tackling problems facing the everyday taxpayer,” added Buonanno.