'Down the Drain' workers back on job

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Last year, the Target 12 Investigators brought you the unforgettable video of a city backhoe working on a foreman's house. The Mayor vowed these men would never work for the city again. But guess what? We've learned they're back and collecting a city paycheck.

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That video of a city backhoe working on a foreman's house was just the beginning. Our undercover unit also captured those two workers bringing Providence DPW trucks out of the city on personal errands for hours on end, all on the taxpayer's dime.

Of the thousands of Rhode Islanders who watched our investigation that night, Providence Mayor David Cicilline was arguably the most heated.

"They do not deserve to work for the City of Providence. They have lost that privilege," Cicilline said.

Almost immediately, the Mayor showed them the door. But what a difference a year makes. Target 12 has learned these two workers are back on the city payroll. How did it happen? Tonight, Target 12 goes digging for answers.

Tim White: "Some people will be watching this story and their response is going to be, 'it is outrageous that these two gentlemen have their jobs back.' How do you respond to that?"

Donald Iannazzi, Local 1033 Laborers Union: "I don't believe the public will find it’s outrageous."

Tim White sat down with the union, as well as the Mayor to see how he's feeling after vowing serious action.

We wanted to know how the workers got their jobs back, if they were able to collect benefits over the past year, and how this will affect their pensions.

Watch the story Monday on Eyewitness News on Fox Providence at 10 p.m. and on WPRI 12 at 11 p.m.