by Anita Baffoni WPRO News
The two members on the Providence Board of Canvassers were deadlocked at Wednesday’s hearing, ultimately refusing to take any new documents in the residency case of Representative John Carnevale. In addition, voluntary testimony from a Providence police officer who was allegedly asked by Carnevale to write a parking ticket to his disputed Providence address will not go before the board.
Chairwoman Claudia Haugen said she believes there is enough information provided to make a decision in whether or not Carnevale in fact lives at 150 Barbara Street in Providence. A Channel 12 investigation showed he spent most of his time at a Johnston home and not in his home in his legislative district.
The Rhode Island Board of Elections gave the Canvassers until Friday, July 29, to issue subpoenas for witnesses, which the complainants plan to do for Thursday’s Board of Canvassers hearing. A decision must be made but the end of the week.
After being pressed by reporters afterwards, Haugen said, “It’s very difficult we have two board members and you can’t expect everyone to agree on things.”
She added “I feel as though after testimony tomorrow [Thursday] we will have enough information. We are having someone from our benefits office come in and provide testimony and I believe there will be enough information.”
Even the board’s legal counsel encouraged all evidence be heard before a decision is made, but regardless, Haugen stance did not change.
After the hearing, GOP Chairman Branden Bell, who filed the complaint against Carnevale, said it is a “ridiculous outcome.”
“What was uncovered here in our view is clear evidence of fraud, ethically challenged legislators, and how do we tolerate this? We have to send a message and we have to send it now and this is the case that the message needs to be sent,” Bell said.
This case is up against a ticking clock as a decision needs to be made in time for the primary ballots that need to be printed in order to send to military members overseas. Top democrats are calling for Carnevale to rethink his re-election but Carnevale said after Wednesday’s hearing he has no plans to reconsider.
