No Criminal Charges in 'Hindered' Investigation of Police Chief's Leave

A Rhode Island State Police investigation of allegations that two members of the East Providence City Council got involved improperly with the city manager’s placing of the police chief on administrative leave in April has found no basis for criminal charges.

But the two city councilors linked to the allegations, Chrissy Rossi and Thomas Rose Jr., did not cooperate with the State Police investigation, according to Lt. Col. Michael Winquist.

“They elected to retain legal counsel, which is their right to do,"  Lt. Col. Winquist said, “and they did not give formal statements.”

State Police investigators did talk to Rossi, he said, “but she did not cooperate.” 

Rose referred the State Police to his attorney.

At the end of the day, thus, said Winquist: “We couldn’t substantiate or refute the allegations" -- that they offered a so-called quid pro quo to the city manager: helping him get an employment contract instead of working at the will of the City Council if he ousts the police chief.

Their lack of cooperation "certainly hindered the investigation," he said. "We investigated the allegation as far as we can go without their cooperation. We did not have enough information to support criminal charges.” 

Col. Steven G. O’Donnell, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, also said in a press release: “It would have been helpful if all parties involved cooperated to bring all of the facts to light.”

The investigation, therefore, has been closed, Winquist said, “unless someone has more information and asks us to pursue it further.”

The results of the investigation have been turned over to the East Providence Budget Commission, which meets again next Thursday, July 18.

The State Police were asked to investigate the allegations that Rossi and Rose improperly influenced City Manager Peter Graczykowski to place Tavares on administrative leave because that is a violation of the City Charter and considered a criminal misdemeanor, said Winquist.

The State Police investigation started soon after the Budget Commission reinstated Tavares as police chief in late May and cleared him of all so-called irregularities.

The Budget Commission, which had transferred all of its authority back to the city in March, was asked to return to East Providence by Mayor James Briden to handle all personnel matters because of the situation with Tavares, the city manager and the city councilors.

“The East Providence Budget Commission also requested the investigation of allegations of an improperly administered promotional exam, as well as other internal matters,” said O’Donnell and Winquist.

These issues were determined to be minor administrative issues and referred back to Tavares for review by his professional standards unit, both O’Donnell and Winquist said. 

Graczykowski issed this statement on the conclusion of the State Police investigation:

"I am not surprised by the conclusions of the investigation by the Rhode Island State Police.  As expected, both the City officials and hard working officers of the East Providence Police Department have been cleared of any wrongdoing in this matter. 

"It is worth mentioning that this is the second time in a few years that the State Police were asked to investigate alleged improprieties in East Providence, and again, could not substantiate any evidence. This should assure the citizens of East Providence as to the integrity of City officials and Police Department."

O’Donnell also said in the press release: “Our investigation was conducted professionally and efficiently with the full understanding of how these matters effect a law enforcement agency.”