Mayor Claims Payoff Offered for Judge Appointment

Mayor Claims Payoff Offered for Judge Appointment

North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi is claiming that an unidentified person in the Rhode Island Senate asked him to appoint former Senate President Joseph Montalbano as municipal court judge, in exchange for a much-needed supplemental tax increase for the town, according to GoLocalProv media partner WPRO 630.

In an interview with WPRO, Lombardi said he had decided to not reappoint Montalbano to the position. As a result, the supplemental tax increase did not pass. The measure was necessary to bring the city out of its $10 million deficit. In a separate interview, Gov. Don Carcieri told WPRO said the "shakedown," if true, is illegal.