Special Statement from Mayor Taveras on Recent Retirement Board Decision

On January 7, four days into my administration, the Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled in Ryan v. City of Providence that the Honorable Service ordinance required a criminal conviction before the City could reduce or revoke a pension. Immediately after this ruling, I called upon the City Solicitor's Office to re-draft the City's Honorable Service Ordinance to no longer allow employees who served dishonorably, but were not technically convicted of certain felonies, to receive city pensions. On March 21, we passed a law that closes this loophole.

Like most laws, this law is not retroactive. This is why the Providence Retirement Board was legally obligated to provide former Providence Police Sgt. Stephen T. Gonsalves with pension benefits. Gonsalves made his pension application before the law took effect, which prevented the Retirement Board from revoking Mr. Gonsalves' pension benefits.

I commend the City Council for swiftly passing the necessary revisions to the Honorable Service Ordinance to make sure that those who engage in inappropriate and unethical behavior will not receive taxpayer-funded benefits in the future.

The improved Honorable Service Ordinance is an important step forward in our efforts to operate a government that the people of Providence can trust and be proud of. Improving the Honorable Service Ordinance also honors the vast majority of City workers who serve with integrity every day and who are disrespected when those who serve dishonorably are rewarded.