Cianci Fires Back at Elorza on Campaign Contribution Claims

Independent candidate for Mayor of Providence Vincent A. Cianci, Jr. today issued the following statement in regard to contributions to the Cianci Campaign:

“While everyone is combing through these reports looking for a smoking gun, I assure you there is none. In the past few hours, my office has gotten calls from reporters alleging that I received money from a man under indictment.  This claim is not true.  

“As far as city employees go, I never took a pledge to refuse contributions from city employees, nor did I ever allude to such a pledge. I made an offhand remark at a heated forum. My intent was to say that if I were Mayor, I would not take contributions from city employees. At the moment, I am a private citizen, I have not held office for 12 years, and if there are people who work for the city who want me back in office because they knew I was a solid Mayor who loves this city, then I welcome their support, financial or otherwise.

“It is insulting to assume that a city employee who contributes $50 is requesting pay to play, and quite frankly, I am tired of the Elorza camp and the media assuming that city employees are a bunch of opportunistic criminals who are incapable of making an informed decision about what kind of leadership works best for this city. These are hard working civil servants who are exercising their right to participate in democracy, and I appreciate every last one of their efforts.

“I am equally tired of the blatant hypocrisy employed by the Elorza campaign.  What right does he have to accuse my campaign donors who are city workers of pay to play, when his main donor is Myrth York, who collects a city check for holding a very powerful position on the city’s zoning board? A zoning board which, by the way, is responsible for allowing special entertainment permits for nightclubs on Federal Hill, the same clubs responsible for a surge of assaults and a homicide in recent months. It’s no secret that Myrth York is desperately trying to stop me from becoming Mayor of Providence.  Her involvement in the now failed ‘Anybody but Cianci’ movement makes that crystal clear. With all of these facts in hand, I can’t see how anyone can accuse me of pay to play while keeping a straight face.

“And what about Rep. Cicilline, the chairman of Elorza’s last fundraiser?  He owns the building that houses the nightclub Vault Lounge, the scene of a recent vicious stabbing.  The owner of Vault Lounge is married to Miguel Garcia, also an Elorza supporter.  Then we have Fete, a supposed live music venue which, in reality, is a nightclub, and home to a recent shootout.  It’s where Elorza held his Primary victory party.  Finally, we have the $3 Bar, the site of a Federal Hill murder.  That establishment is owned by Gianfranco Marrocco, yet another supporter of Elorza.   

“This election has disintegrated into a laughable tale of ghosts and myths. I respectfully ask the people of Providence to use common sense, and analyze these claims for what they are: sensational hypocrisy designed to slow my momentum as I continue my quest to become Mayor of Providence. The voters deserve more.”  

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