CF mayor ethics complaint moves forward

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI/AP) - Just as Rhode Island State Police are expanding their probe into alleged corruption at Central Falls city hall, an ethics complaint against Mayor Charles Moreau will move forward.

During a hearing Tuesday morning, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission ruled that it would launch an investigation into Moreau after receiving a complaint filed by the Rhode Island Republican Party.

According to the complaint, Moreau reportedly had a nearly $7,000 furnace installed in his home by campaign contributor and longtime friend Mike Bouthilete. Bouthilete also had a lucrative no-bid contract to board up dozens of foreclosed homes across the city.

State police have already launched an investigation into the corruption allegations. Just this week, the commander of the department's detective division told The Providence Journal that the Financial Crimes Unit is doubling the number of detectives investigating the administration from two to four.

Moreau has denied any wrongdoing and his spokeswoman has said that the mayor has "nothing to hide."

City officials say they cooperating fully with the probe.

The ethics investigation is expected to take three to six months.