Foulkes Campaigns at Holiday Party With Bucci Just Hours After Cranston Politico’s DUI Stop

Foulkes Campaigns at Holiday Party With Bucci Just Hours After Cranston Politico’s DUI Stop

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes could be seen celebrating the holidays with Cranston City Committee Chair Maria Bucci at the Cranston Democrats Holiday on Thursday night at Marasco’s Bar and Grill.

Bucci and Foulkes' appearance together came roughly 17 hours after Bucci was charged by East Greenwich Police for a number of violations.

According to police, Bucci was stopped at approximately 12:30 AM on Thursday, and she was at the next party at 5:00 PM.

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Bucci, who posted bail, is due to be arraigned on January 5, 2026. 

 

Politics in Focus

Bucci is a close advisor to the Foulkes’ 2026 gubernatorial campaign. Bucci in campaign reports often lists her employers as Slater Compassion Center, a state-regulated cannabis facility run by her brother, Gerry McGraw.

Bucci, who previously served on the Cranston City Council, was a mayoral candidate and lost in a run for state representative.

Presently, she holds the position of chair of the Cranston Democratic Committee, according to the Democrats’ website.

 

Bucci’s Verbal Barrage

The holiday party with Foulkes and Bucci went on as planned, despite Bucci being captured on police body camera, berating East Greenwich police officer Anthony St. Laurent during the traffic stop.

Bucci said to the officer:

Why are you embarrassing me?

You know who I am, though, right?

I think this is abuse.

How old are you?

You’re recording this right to embarrass me online.

Do you want me to get caught? What are you doing?

I am going to tell you what, my nephew is law enforcement, my uncle is law enforcement. You want to embarrass me. I am an old lady.

After the officer asked Bucci if she was willing to conduct a walk and turn test, she said: “Not really, but I will do it for your entertainment only.”

Bucci continued: 

I hope I don’t raise a kid like you.

If I was a black human…I feel bad for the people who are not in my position.

Call my husband and call the Attorney General [Peter Neronha] and everyone else in town.

This is disgusting

If I was a black person I would be arrested.

You’re a dick. You’re a loser. How old are you?

I hope they arrest your mother, too. You’re gross. My whole family is in law enforcement.

I F@@ken can’t stand it.

I didn’t even drink you, asshole.

 

 

Question to Foulkes Campaign

After GoLocal broke the story of Bucci’s arrest on Thursday, but before Foulkes and Bucci appeared at the holiday party together, GoLocal asked Foulkes’ spokesperson, Jon Romano, “Maria Bucci is an active top-tier member of the Foulkes campaign — does Helena have comment?”

The Foulkes campaign did not respond.

In the U.S., about 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2023, a figure representing roughly 30% of all traffic fatalities for that year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

While this number has fluctuated, it averages out to about 34 preventable deaths daily, highlighting a persistent, serious public safety issue. 

 

Arresting Documents

In the arresting documents, East Greenwich police charged that Bucci "did operate a vehicle in this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs in violation of [statute] 31-27-2."

At the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, Bucci now faces multiple charges: operating a motor vehicle without evidence of insurance; "laned roadway violations;" and “interior lights to be operated during police traffic stop.”

She is also being charged under 31-27-2 for “refusal to submit a chemical test.”