Authorities in Pawtucket, Rhode Island aren’t giving out any names, but they’re fairly certain they have the right person. Local police confirmed a few days ago that a City Hall employee is at the center of a probe of missing finances of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Rhode Island Council 94. Police Chief Arthur Martins did not name the suspect, but confirmed suspicions that members of his force are looking into a complaint filed last week by the council. Kenneth DeLorenzo, executive director of Council 94, remarked, “We are working with Pawtucket Police regarding the finances of the city employees of Pawtucket Local 1012.”
Several sources have commented that the suspect is a longtime female employee of the Pawtucket Tax Assessor’s Office who also serves as an officer of AFSCME Local 1012. A spokesman for the assessor’s office expressed knowledge of the probe but stated it was strictly a union affair having no bearing on city finances. No source gave a specific dollar figure.