CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — The Cranston police officer at the center of the city’s ticketing scandal has left the force after more than two years’ paid leave.
The Providence Journal reports that Capt. Stephen Antonucci’s last day on the payroll was Friday under a disputed retirement deal arranged by Mayor Allan Fung.
According to a state police review, in November 2013 Antonucci ordered a ticketing blitz in which citations were issued in the wards of two city councilors who voted against a police union contract. He was president of the union at the time. Antonucci said the timing was coincidental and done at the request of the mayor and the council, who wanted the city’s overnight parking ban enforced.
Democratic members of the council denounced the Republican mayor for making the Antonucci deal.
