RI Cops Went On 'Ticket Blitz' To Retaliate For Vote Against New Police Contract

Months after the NBC 10 I-Team revealed a parking ticket blitz in Cranston, Mayor Allan Fung on Thursday called for the firing of one of the city's top police officers.

"Today we are announcing a recommendation, that is a recommendation of termination for Cranston Police Capt. Stephen Antonucci," Fung said.

Fung said a state police investigation found it was Capt. Stephen Antonucci who ordered patrol officers to hand out more than 100 parking tickets.

All of the tickets were handed out in wards 1 and 3 after those council members voted against a new police contract.

Antonucci was the police union president, in addition to his management position.

[...]Fung said Antonucci faces at least seven charges of violating police conduct. He was suspended with pay. Officials said he is entitled to a hearing under the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights.

The ticket blitz came to light after the NBC 10 I-Team requested overnight parking ticket records from November.

The investigation revealed 106 tickets were written in the three days following the contract vote, but 18 tickets on the day before the vote.