Sepe Blasts Fung Over Cost of Litigation

Sepe Blasts Fung Over Cost of Litigation

Mayoral candidate Michael J. Sepe announced his opposition to what he called Mayor Allan Fung’s “relentless pursuit of litigation at taxpayer expense."

Sepe, the Democratic candidate in Cranston, opposes continued litigation in the challenge of the ACLU to include inmates at the Adult Corrections Institution (ACI) in Cranston on the voter rolls.  Last month, the Federal Judge Ronald Lagueux of the United States District Court ruled in favor of the ACLU.

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Sepe noted that Fung’s "penchant to litigate" and the several lawsuits "settlement involving the Cranston police department quote together with related lawyers fees and expenses have cost the city of Cranston taxpayers millions of dollars "and the amount is still growing".

"I am a businessman,” Sepe said.  “Like every other person managing a business, I consider the costs of litigation wasteful and avoidable. They are a burden on the business’ bottom line. Strong negotiating skills and strategic decision-making are the antidote to costly legal expenses. Obviously, mayor Fung - who has never had the responsibility of running a business in the private sector- seriously lacks these necessary management skills."

Sepe said the mounting legal expenses related to the fights with the ACLU in court will further burden Cranston's homeowners.  "Let's take charge, bring the parties to the table, and resolve this issue once and for all to save taxes and avoid a possible special election and the additional costs associated with it," Sepe said.