Two of Cranston’s Councilors Make Charges Against Lawyer -- One Resigns & Other Can’t Support Claims

Two of Cranston’s Councilors Make Charges Against Lawyer -- One Resigns & Other Can’t Support Claims

Cranston politics seem to be permeating nearly every aspect of governance in the city.

On Monday night, one City Councilor demanded that the City Council’s legal counsel, Evan Kirshenbaum, resign -- after another City Councilor announced his resignation.

"After my resignation tonight at the City Council meeting, Evan Kirshenbaum continued to defend his reprehensible behavior by harassing me via email and accusing me of political grandstanding in my demand for an apology from him," said now-former City Councilor Paul McAuley.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

McAuley said he was resigning because “Mr. Kirshenbaum attacked ‘my conduct’ tonight without even a whisper of any remorse for his disrespect and slanderous accusations against me at the June 1 Finance Committee meeting.”

GoLocal repeatedly requested from McAuley examples of the claims and received no response.

The other Councilman who made charges against Kirshenbaum was Mayoral hopeful Kenneth Hopkins who claimed in a press release on Monday night, “Attorney Kirshenbaum’s condescending and disrespectful tone that evening was outrageous."

“His arrogance that night was only exceeded tonight by his refusal to apologize when Councilman McAuley asked for an apology," Hopkins continued. 

Hopkins said if Kirshenbaum does not resign, he will introduce a resolution calling for his ouster.  “Mr. Kirshenbaum thinks he is accountable to no one,” said Hopkins.

Hopkins Can't Give Examples

Hopkins however could not provide specifics. On Tuesday, Hopkins said, “I am meeting with Councilman McAuley at noon. He has everything documented.”

Then, when GoLocal followed up again regarding the accusations, Hopkins wrote in a message, "I was at a place that did not have an internet connection. I was out with a crew putting out signs.”

By Tuesday night, Hopkins could not provide any proof up to his claim. “I backed up Paul McAuley. I will continue to back him up,” said Hopkins.

Kirschenbaum has worked in different outside legal counsel positions for Cranston for 13 of the past 17 years. “I am hurt by this criticism,” said Kirshenbaum.

Kirshenbaum said the dispute centered around some members of the council trying to take legislative action to cut the Mayor’s salary and that he told them that the legislative action they were taking was improper.

Kirshenbaum is paid $2,000 a month for his position.

McAuley, who refused to answer questions about the incident, said in a press release, “In my entire life, I have never been accused or treated so badly.  When he attacked me he was attacking every decent member of the city council. I regret that I had to make a stand tonight to let Mr. Kirshenbaum know that real people of principle back up their words with action. I appreciate the nice words of some of my fellow council members after I left the meeting.  It has been one of the highest honors of my life to serve the residents of Ward 2 as their councilman."   

Deny and Defended

“I blatantly deny the charge,” said Kirshenbaum, who said he thought the charges may be tied to the political season.

Council President Michael Farina, who is Hopkins rival, as both are running in the Republican primary for Mayor, defended Kirshenbaum in a statement.

"June 1st transcripts from the Finance Committee meeting in question will show that Kirshenbaum respectfully and professionally explained to all the Council Members at the meeting," said Farina.

"Kirshenbaum did not mention any particular Councilman by name nor did he infer that he thought any Council Member had bad intent," said Farina. "Kirshenbaum explained that this advice came from performing his due diligence in speaking with both a top Criminal Defense Attorney, an Ethics Attorney, and conferring with John Verdecchia, Legal Counsel for the Fung Administration."