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August 7, 2007

Foes to rally against Smithfield council president

SMITHFIELD – A “resignation rally” calling to replace Town Council President Stephen G. Tocco, who was dismissed last month as chief of the Rhode Island Capitol Police, is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight – a half hour before the council’s meeting.

The council then plans to take up two motions. One would reorganize the council (translation: replace Tocco as president) and the other would strip him of his office altogether.

Tocco was dismissed as chief of the Rhode Island Capitol Police on July 20 and was transferred to a civilian state job after The Providence Journal disclosed that years ago he had negotiated bribes and carried thousands of dollars in bribes on a number of occasions both to Gary Garafano, deputy public works director in Providence, and to Louis S. Simon, public works director in Pawtucket during the administration of Mayor Brian J. Sarault.

Simon and Sarault pleaded guilty and served jail terms. Garafano was convicted after a trial in 1993 and was sentenced to prison. Tocco testified for the prosecution in a deal that allowed him to escape criminal charges.

He committed these acts while he was also an officer of the Capitol Police, he testified.

-- Journal staff writer Thomas J. Morgan

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 6:18 PM | Permalink

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j | August 7, 2007 8:11 PM link

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