Warwick Mayor Picozzi to Return Campaign Donations to City Worker After GoLocal Report

Warwick Mayor Picozzi to Return Campaign Donations to City Worker After GoLocal Report

Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi told GoLocal on Tuesday that he would be returning all of the campaign donations he received from the head of the Water Division for the City, Terry DiPetrillo.

DiPetrillo and the City of Warwick are the subject of a federal civil sexual harassment lawsuit.

As GoLocal first unveiled last Tuesday, a former City of Warwick employee has filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was sexually harassed during her time at the Warwick Water Division.

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Plaintiff Bree Boulais filed the 50-page complaint in U.S. District Court.

According to the suit, it was DiPetrillo’s behavior that sparked the suit and caused her damage. One example of the harassment she received at the hands of DiPetrillo according to the lawsuit was "Terry DiPetrillo entered the room and, in front of their coworkers, commented, “Bree, I believe I left my socks by your bedside.”

Boulai says that she began working for the Warwick Water Department as a Water Project Supervisor in April 2021 and that, for the first year, she “did her job well, and there were no offensive events.” 

“However, it was apparent that the leadership of the Water Department seemed to foster an environment of sexism and inappropriateness; to [Boulais] it felt like a ‘boys club’ based on how the men talked about women openly,” according to the lawsuit.  “By the spring of 2022, the environment started to become hostile for [Boulais] because of her sex.”

By 2023, Boulais alleges the harassment became so severe that she needed to seek mental health treatment and that she was deprived of her Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rights before ultimately resigning. 

DiPetrillo had previously been arrested in August of 2023, following a reported anti-Semitic incident in which he told a Nazi "joke" at work that involved physically assaulting an employee — who is Jewish — by slapping him across the face. 

 

Mayor Returning Donation

When GoLocal first reported the story, Picozzi’s office said that the Mayor does not discuss pending legislation against the city.

GoLocal then followed up with Picozzi directly about the campaign donations that he had received from DiPetrillo last Friday, and asked if it was appropriate to keep donations from DiPetrillo while he is the subject of a federal lawsuit.

“I had not thought about that,” said Picozzi. "I will get back to you.”

On Tuesday, Picozzi told GoLocal, “I thought about it. I have instructed my campaign treasurer to return all donations to DiPetrillo. I am not sure what the amount is.”

DiPetrillo has given Picozzi five campaign donations between 2021 and 2023 for a total of $500. 

DiPetrillo also gave to Picozzi’s predecessor, the late Mayor Joseph Solomon. DiPetrillo donated $900 to Solomon.

“I want to avoid that appearance of impropriety,” added Picozzi.

 

Councilman Speaks Out

After GoLocal's initial report, Councilman Vinny Gebhart called for DiPetrillo's ouster.

“I am calling for the immediate dismissal of the Chief of the Warwick Water Division following deeply troubling allegations of misconduct revealed through local reporting and court filings. The Water Division's leadership has been accused of multiple instances of sexual harassment, making anti-Semitic jokes and statements, and was charged with assault after slapping an employee during one such anti-Semitic incident. This behavior is unacceptable and incompatible with the values of our community," said Gebhart.

"The residents of Warwick deserve transparency, accountability, and integrity from their public officials. Our city employees, especially those in crucial services like the Water Division, must feel secure, respected, and free from discrimination in their workplace. These allegations, if true, signify a profound failure in leadership and a serious breach of public trust," said Gebhart.