Smiley Refuses to Provide Information About Double-Dipping HR Director
GoLocalProv News Team
Smiley Refuses to Provide Information About Double-Dipping HR Director
On Tuesday, GoLocal unveiled that in addition to Winspeare’s director’s position in Providence, in which he is $132,567.89 annually plus benefits, he also serves as the personnel director in Georgetown, Massachusetts.
Smiley named Winspeare in May of 2023, and just months after he was named to the six-figure Providence position by Smiley, in November of 2023, Winspeare also applied and was appointed to be the personnel director of Georgetown, Massachusetts.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHe was officially hired by the Georgetown Board of Selectmen at the December 11, 2023 meeting.
The Mayor’s office has repeatedly refused to answer questions about the dual roles.
After more than half a dozen questions and two days of requesting information on the dueling jobs, Josh Estrella, a spokesperson for Smiley, refused to answer GoLocal’s questions. Instead, he issued a statement that said, “Mr. Winspeare is employed by the town of Georgetown on an as needed basis. Outside employment is not prohibited and this role is a part-time as needed position that is limited to 10 hours a week. That said, no employee is allowed to conduct other business during their scheduled work time with the City of Providence.”
“As this is a personnel matter, there are not many details to provide at this time but there is currently a review of the matter which is underway as we would any time something of this nature is brought to our attention,” Estrella added.
But many of the questions asked by GoLocal are not related to Winspeare, but to Smiley’s government.
Among the questions Smiley’s office refused to answer were:
- Was the office aware of Winspeare’s outside job as personnel director in Georgetown, MA?
- When did they learn of Winspeare working in Geoergetown?
- Did someone in the Smiley administration approve the second job?
- If so, who and when?
Winspeare Was Previously Criticized for Paying Dead People
Directly before coming to Providence, it was reported that Winspeare, as head of human relations in Chicopee, Massachusetts, had continued to pay health and dental insurance premiums for employees after they died or resigned, costing taxpayers an unknown amount of money.
Winspeare has not responded to questions about his multiple roles.