UPDATED: Subpoenas Issued to Top Elorza Staff Tied To Correia and McKenna Lawsuits

UPDATED: Subpoenas Issued to Top Elorza Staff Tied To Correia and McKenna Lawsuits

Lawyers for Councilman Michael Correia have issued subpoenas to Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza’s top administrators relating to an ongoing alleged ethics violation, a civil lawsuit, and countersuit.

Chief-of-Staff Nicole Pollock, Director of Operations Sabrina Solares-Hand, Public Works Director Antonio Morabito as well as Municipal Integrity Officer Rosa Arias-Perry were all issued subpoenas today. At Least two of the four have already received service.

The subpoenas involve an ongoing civil complaint by Michael McKenna, the Deputy DPW Director in Providence, and Correia’s counter-complaint against McKenna.

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McKenna is a phone interview told GoLocal that "I have not received a subpoena or heard of anyone receiving them."

McKenna's attorney Jeremy Rix -- also a Warwick City Councilman, did not respond to a request for comment.

Artin Coloian, one of Correia's attorneys, said the subpoenas were issued because "We are simply trying to get at the truth."

"If there is animous between McKenna and Correia it is unilateral. The Councilman is focused on serving his constituents," Coloian added. He has been hired by the Providence City Council to represent Correia as the City Solicitor has a conflicted role due to the pending ethics complaint.

 

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The legal machinations began in August when McKenna filed both a defamation lawsuit and an ethics complaint against Correia who represents D-Ward 6.

The complaints center around allegations that Correia tried to have McKenna fired and claims by Correia of McKenna trying to undercut Correia from delivering constituent services. "Upon being hired by the City of Providence, Counterclaim Defendant [McKenna] began to intentionally and systematically sabotage Correia through his own efforts along with employing the help of others," states Correia's claim. 

In addition, Correia alleges in his countersuit, "In an effort to disgrace Correia and interfere with his duties as Councilman, Counterclaim Defendant would intentionally disregard work that needed to be completed in Ward 6 to the embarrassment and frustration of Correia and his constituents. In or around December of 2018, Counterclaim Defendant told Christian Ruiz at the Department of Public Works garage he (Counterclaim Defendant) “would take care of Correia’s ass.”