I agree with independent gubernatorial candidate Lincoln Chafee — Municipal Court Judge Frank Caprio should resign from his position as chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Governors, the state board that runs the two state colleges and the University of Rhode Island (ProJo). In response to the second of two allegations that he has violated the Judicial Code of Conduct when he used his influence to secure a job for boxer Peter Manfredo at CCRI, Caprio responded,
“I was raised that if something is right, if you can help somebody, you do it,” says Caprio. “I do it for countless people, if I can help them fulfill the same dream that I was lucky enough to fulfill.”
That would be such a lovely sentiment if it were Caprio’s own private payroll, but he seems positively shocked to find out that he can’t just give away state jobs to his friends. (And while we are at it, why don’t we just go ahead and count those “countless” other people.)
As to CCRI President Ray Di Pasquale’s contention that “Peter is one of a kind. He’s the world middleweight champion. He would be great motivating our student-athletes.” See kids, with discipline and hard work a world champion boxer can become a part-time assistant equipment manager at a community college! How inspiring.
(Photo of the installation of President Di Pasquale by Judge Caprio courtesy of Ryan Conaty)
Judge Caprio’s recent blatant disregard for the law in the case of the dog that was intentionally starved, almost to death, by a Nicole Symonds of Grape St. in Prov., is another example of why this man must step down from a position of influence….he knows nothing about the law, is frivolous and capricious with his dealings with criminals, and now gives away jobs to his friends and then defends his actions with lofty rhetoric about helping people. Time to retire to Florida, Judge.
blah blah blah blah… If you grew up the way people like my father and Caprio did, you’d know all the better about what he means with his statement. This is just screaming for attention to slander the Caprio name. petty bullshit
I find it equally appalling that the judge sits on the Board of Regency controlling the State’s Higher Education Institutions in violation of numerous judicial cannons of ethics, particularly Cannon 4(c)(2) which prohibits a judge from sitting on any governtmental body and/or board, other than one dealing specifically with matters of law:
http://www.courts.state.ri.us/supreme/jtd/code.pdf