Grebien Admits Failing to Disclose Business on Ethics Forms After GoLocal Review

Sunday, May 29, 2016

GoLocalProv News Team

 

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Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien has admitted that he failed to disclose a business interest on his annual filings with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission for two years, following a GoLocal review.  

Grebien is currently the subject of an investigation which was initiated by the City of Pawtucket, who hired attorney and North Providence Assistant Solicitor James J. Caruolo to look into criminal allegations levied against Grebien. 

Caruolo, the son of a Rhode Island State Democratic Committeeman, has since been nominated to the District Court by Governor. 

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About Ethics Omission

In his 2011 and 2012 filings with the state, Grebien omitted Grebien Associates under the category of "Business Ownership Interests," which he had put in his initial filing for 2010 -- and reappeared again from 2013 forward. 

When contacted, Grebien explained why he formed the consulting entity.

"Grebien Associates LLC  was incorporated in 2010 when my professional career was at a cross roads. The company I was working for, American Insulated Wire which was a subsidiary of Leviton Manufacturing had been sold earlier in the year. At this time I was offered a position to relocate but did not accept the offer. My goal at this time in my life was to run for the office of Mayor and would focus all my energy and resources to this," said Grebien. 

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Grebien explained his business interest to GoLocal this week.

"Based on my experience, my sixteen year tenure and commitment to AIW-Leviton, the corporation suggested that if I was not successful in my bid for Mayor, they could use my experience for consultant services," said Grebien. "This never came to fruition as I was elected in 2010 and began serving the residents of Pawtucket in January of 2011."

Grebien said the proper paperwork was filed with the state - and that an oversight there had been corrected. 

"The articles of incorporation were filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 26, 2010 by my registered agent John T. Gannon, 727 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. The corporation paperwork has been filed each and every year including this year. The only change to the corporation was this year in March when John T. Gannon withdrew and resigned as the agent for service. I was unaware of this change until I received a notice from the Office of the Secretary of State in early April. At which time I immediately took care of the 2015 filing," said Grebien.

"When this LLC was incorporated, as required, a bank account was started and a deposited amount of $25.00 was put into the account. To date, that is the same amount in the account and there have been no clients, income or expenses. There has been no activity at all," said Grebien.  "I've pulled up all of the ethics filings back through 2010 when Grebien Associates was first incorporated. After reviewing the filings going back to the 2010 ethics filing clearly has Grebien Associates LLC listed as well as every filing going forward through 2015 with the exception of 2011 & 2012. This was clearly an omission at the time of the filing."

Grebien said he would be willing to furnish the bank statements upon request. 

 

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