PROVIDENCE – Luis A. Aponte resigned as president of the City Council Friday afternoon. He said he intends to remain a member of the council.
“After much deliberation, I have determined that it is in the best interest of my constituents, colleagues, and city to formally submit my resignation as Providence City Council president,” Aponte said in a statement issued by the committee.
“Serving the people of Providence is one of the greatest honors of my lifetime, and I remain committed to representing my constituents in my capacity as Councilman,” he said. “While it has been a privilege to serve my colleagues as Council president, I believe this is the appropriate time to step down from my leadership position and focus on the best opportunities to serve the needs of my community.”
Aponte’s resignation from the leadership post comes as the council was prepared to vote to allow members to remove Aponte from the position of president with a two-thirds majority. Aponte was indicted by a Grand Jury on four charges related to the misuse and embezzlement of campaign funds on May 10.
In the statement, Aponte urged fellow councilors not to rush to amend the rules to more easily allow for a council president’s removal.
“I urge my colleagues to take a more-measured approach, and refrain from rushing into a reactive rules change that undermines our democratic principles,” he said.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
