NEW: East Providence Mayor Briden Claims Audio of Anti-Teacher Statements "Manufactured"

NEW: East Providence Mayor Briden Claims Audio of Anti-Teacher Statements "Manufactured"

East Providence Mayor James Briden said Friday that the audio clip allegedly of him accusing teachers of playing "the crying game" during contract negotiations -- and acting like "poor people" -- is manufactured -- but refused to answer additional questions pertaining to the clip. 

Briden's statement came twelve hours after his initial statement on Thursday, when the audio clip was posted online, when he said he had "no comment."

"The audio was manufactured and not valid," said Briden in his second statement on Friday. 

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READ: East Providence Mayor Allegedly Caught Calling Teachers Cry Babies

Briden refused to answer further questions on Friday, however, including whether it was actually him on the audio clip and whether he had in fact made the statements; why he didn't refute the clip immediately; and if he would be taking legal action.  

"I cannot comment further until I have met with my attorney," said Briden.  

Briden was last elected in 2016 to the City Council and unanimously elected Mayor during the inaugural ceremony; he had previously served on the Council as Mayor from 2012 to 2014.