Embattled state Sen. John Celona, a North Providence Democrat, submitted a letter of resignation yesterday, Senate President Joseph Montalbano announced at a press conference at the State House, as several of Celona’s fellow senators looked on. The resignation is effective immediately, Montalbano said.
“It is with deep regret that I leave this institution, where I have dedicated the last nine years of my life to the effective representation of my constituents,” Celona wrote. “Regrettably in light of the current investigation and resultant distractions to the Senate and its members, I feel it is necessary to take this step in the best interest of my family and the institution.”
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Since early December, Celona has faced questions over whether it was proper for him to have received payment from CVS for consulting work (which he did not disclose on his financial forms) and payments from Blue Cross for co-hosting a television program while he served as chairman of the Senate commerce committee. Over the past month, as an increasing number of Celona’s Senate colleagues have called for his resignation, Celona had said he was awaiting a ruling on the matter from the state Ethics Commission.
