Projo Politics Blog

By Philip Marcelo
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Mayor David N. Cicilline, making a rare appearance on the local media circuit, called the lawsuit filed by former Tax Collector Robert P. Ceprano last week a conspiracy by supporters of his most outspoken critic, former Mayor-turned convict-turned radio and television personality Vincent A. Cianci Jr.

Ceprano accuses Cicilline's administration of conspiracy, corruption, libel and wrongful termination after it was alleged that the mayor's brother, John M. Cicilline, arranged a deal with members of the mayor's staff to help one of his clients avoid paying property taxes.

"I don't think that there is any question that there is an effort by political enemies of mine to advance this totally false claim," Cicilline said Thursday on John DePetro's morning show on WPRO630.

Cicilline said that Ceprano is taking his cues from lawyer Artin H. Coloian, who was Cianci's top aide, to tarnish his name. "After they filed the lawsuit, they went back to an establishment owned by Artie Coloian -- with my predecessor, with Mr. Ceprano -- to field media calls," Cicilline said.

Cianci fired back later on ABC6, where he is a political analyst: "There's no conspiracy between the Coloian law firm and me to oust him from office.... It's similar to Watergate. They are trying to cover up of a situation that existed that they are responsible for."

Cicilline has typically shied away from political mudslinging, despite the fact that Cianci, DePetro, and other radio personalities have consistently targeted the two-term Democrat's administration.
Yet he spent about half of his radio interview on WPRO denying Ceprano's allegations and explaining the reforms he is implementing in the tax collector's office.
Then on Sunday morning, the mayor was on WPRI's Newsmakers. When asked about Cianci's involvement in Ceprano's lawsuit, he said simply it was "very clear" what the suit was all about.

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