Cranston Council president, attorney resign over relationship scrutiny

CRANSTON, R.I. — Cranston City Council President Jessica Marino announced her resignation Wednesday night following complaints of her having a relationship with the council’s attorney, Stephen Angell.

The relationship, which had been the subject of political discussion in recent weeks, became public last week when it was scrutinized by fellow councilman Richard Campopiano. Marino, said the controversy had overshadowed her ability to serve.

“I no longer feel the joy that I felt in public service,” Marino said. “I fail to see how I can make a difference any longer.”

She emphasized she had done nothing improper.

“I have done nothing wrong, and any suggestion otherwise is simply malicious,” she continued. “I hesitated from resigning because the haters are so ignorant that they will take it as vindication of their malicious behavior. This resignation, let me be clear, is not because of them, it is in spite of them.”

Marino thanked most members of the council but notably excluded Council Minority Leader Richard Campopiano, who had strongly opposed Angell’s continued employment. Campopiano argued that Angell’s contract violated the Open Meetings Act ahead of a scheduled vote to modify it.

Mayor Ken Hopkins also requested that Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael Winquist review the matter. Winquist later said that, based on what he had seen, “no crime has been committed.”

Angell announced his own resignation shortly after Marino’s, effective September 30, to allow the council time to transition. He criticized Hopkins for prioritizing “political parlor games over good governance,” calling the controversy a “full-blown circus.”

Per the city charter, Council Vice President Dan Wall will assume the role of president immediately. Marino’s at-large council seat, which must be filled by a Democrat, will be done at the approval of the council.

Her departure marks the second resignation from the Cranston City Council in the past two years and the fourth since 2020. Last spring, Councilor Aniece Germain stepped down following questions about her nonprofit’s tax-exempt status. Germain’s non-profit was accused of accepting donations despite losing its tax-exempt status.

Cranston Council president and attorney resign