Woonsocket City Councilor Files Complaint to Remove Baldelli-Hunt - Alleges “Pattern of Misconduct”

Woonsocket City Councilor Files Complaint to Remove Baldelli-Hunt - Alleges “Pattern of Misconduct”

Woonsocket City Councilor has filed a petition to remove Mayor Lisa Baldelli Hunt from office. 

In a 14-page complaint filed with the city on September 6, Councilor Denise Sierra alleges that Baldelli-Hunt violated a number of provisions of the City Charter.

 

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Allegations Levied 

Sierra alleges — along with documentation — that Baldelli-Hunt submitted a Community Development Block Grant request to the federal government that was not approved by the City Council, in violation of city ordinance. 

In the complaint, Sierra also alleges Baldelli-Hunt failed to provide monthly financial reports to the council on numerous occasions, in violation of the Home Rule Charter. 

Sierra also charges Baldelli-Hunt “directed compensation payments to a limited, select group of employees…above and beyond the compensation that was approved and authorized by the City Council via Ordinance or Resolution.”

There were additional allegations levied against Baldelli-Hunt as well. 

Sierra concludes the following in the complaint: 

"Despite having received a clear, unambiguous warning via a formal Censure issued in September 2021 pursuant to Resolution 22R65… Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt has continued her pattern of misconduct via willful violations of the Charter and failing to enforce and willfully violating City Ordinances in a regular effort to circumvent the City Council, the City Charter and City Ordinances. 

Her actions demonstrate a prolonged and ongoing contempt for our form of government that, via our City Charter, calls for consensus, collaboration and respect between and amongst all elected officials of the City. Her disdain for the City Charter and the City Council's role in government is palpable. It has shown no signs of abating and it is without question a detriment to the City and an injury to public service."

When reached for comment, Sierra told GoLocal that a hearing on the complaint will be scheduled in the next ten days -- and that she declined to comment further due to legal proceedings. 

"As the complaint will require the city council to hold a hearing in order for the mayor to present any defense, I should tell you that though I am certainly familiar with each matter included in the complaint I should not pass judgment until the conclusion of any hearing," City Council Vice President John Ward told GoLocal. "The complaint speaks for itself rather well when combined with the exhibits provided."

"I have no comment," said Baldelli-Hunt when reached on Wednesday, adding she thought the effort was politically motivated and "desperate."