It appears that the auditors hired by David Cicilline to investigate John CIcilline's bad check, may have opened a can of worms for the mayor.  Besides Cicilline's former chief of staff Christopher Bizzacco insisting that the mayor knew about the bad check, former Tax Collector Robert Ceprano has detailed instances of David Cicilline "advocating" for certain tax payers who wanted penalties waived or properties removed from tax sales.  By the way, the people the mayor advocated for were either campaign donors, friends, or neighbors.

     Both David Cicilline and the auditor's report call the actions "errors in judgment".  That may very well be the case, but you can't deny that their friendship and donations likely gave them access and favors that the typical person wouldn't receive.  I remember e-mailing the mayor a few years ago to voice concern about Providence's failure to enforce an ordinance requiring property owners to clear their sidewalks after a snow storm.  After a string of consecutive storms, including one that dumped close to 20 inches of snow, children waiting for the bus couldn't stand on the sidewalk, and in some cases, there were mountains of snow taller than the children.  It was an accident waiting to happen.  The e-mail was ignored.  I didn't even get a form e-mail from an intern, yet penalties are being waived and delinquent properties are being removed from tax sales for those who are friends of the mayor or campaign contributors.

      The State Police are still conducting their investigation, and I anticipate even more details once it is finished.  I also expect more "errors in judgment" to come to light.  But let's not blame David Cicilline.  I'm sure he knew nothing about it.



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