NEW: Jackson's Lawyer Blasts Yurdin for Calling for Resignation

NEW: Jackson's Lawyer Blasts Yurdin for Calling for Resignation

Providence City Councilman Kevin Jackson's lawyer has fired back at City Councilman Seth Yurdin, who called for Jackson to resign from his council seat, following his arrest on Wednesday.

Jackson's lawyer Artin Coloian said the move "sounds like cheap politics." 

"My understanding is that Mr. Yurdin is an attorney, and I'm concerned he doesn't understand the presumption of innocence, or he doesn't believe in it," said Coloian.

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Jackson, who was arraigned at district court on Wednesday, will formally enter a plea when he is due in Superior Court in July.   

Jackson maintained his innocence on charges of misappropriation of funds and embezzlement when he was leaving the courthouse on Wednesday; he later resigned from his leadership posts in the wake of the legal developments. 

Dueling Leaders

Yurdin, who was first elected to Ward One in 2006, served as Majority Leader from 2011-2015, when then-Mayor Angel Taveras was in office.

Jackson had served as Majority Leader under Council President Luis Aponte during the Elorza administration.