BREAKING NEWS: Senator Denies There Was a Shakedown

BREAKING NEWS: Senator Denies There Was a Shakedown

Sen. Frank Ciccone said claims that he offered to pass a tax bill in return for getting former Senate President Joseph Montalbano appointed as a municipal judge are the result of a misunderstanding.

In an interview with Dan Yorke on WPRO 630 today, Ciccone said he discussed the appointment with North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi, but did not threaten to sink the bill if Lombardi refused. He said the bill died because of opposition from another state senator and a local councilor.

Earlier in the morning, Lombardi claimed that Ciccone was the previously unidentified senator who asked him to appoint Montalbano in return for the approval of a supplemental tax increase for his town.

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The supplemental tax increase was needed to help North Providence cope with a $10 million budget deficit, according to Lombardi.

Ciccone is the sponsor of a Senate bill that targets public corruption. The bill makes it a felony to violate the public trust and institutes a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison or a $150,000 fine.