WPRO Newsroom
The secretary for the National Education Association of Rhode Island (NEARI) has resigned following his arrest for simple assault late last week.
According to Rhode Island Public Radio, a statement from NEARI issued Tuesday said Louis Rainone had “stepped aside” from his elected position as secretary.
NEARI said the incident, which happened Friday at the Harborside restaurant in East Greenwich, is “regrettable” and “though it happened during a union meeting – and not on state time – we regard this as a private matter.”
According to police reports, Rainone, 58, punched another man in the face. He was charged with simple assault or battery and disorderly conduct and is due in court later this month.
Rainone’s arrest came the day after Education Commissioner Deborah Gist’s contract was renewed by the Board of Education.
Rainone was also involved in an altercation with former State Representative Jon Brien in 2011.
This story has been updated to correct Rainone’s title with NEARI. He was misidentifed as treasurer, when he was, in fact, secretary.
|
|
630 WPRO & 99.7 FM
