Gio questions Caprio on campaign time
Via news release, state Republican chairman Giovanni Cicione wants to know if state treasurer Frank Caprio is making up the time he spends campaigning for governor during business hours.
Citing a steady stream of campaign events this week, the RIGOP questioned how Caprio could justify taking his full salary while doing half his job.
“We know that Rhode Island has a reputation for creating ‘no-show’ jobs,” said party Chair Giovanni Cicione, “but usually the people who are slacking off try to avoid the TV cameras when they’re not at work.” “This week Frank managed to dedicate a homeless shelter, attend a taxpayer forum, and participate in a debate, all before the week was half over.”
Cicione notes how some Democrats called on GOP gubernatorial candidate John Robitaille “to leave his public service job the second he even hinted that he was considering a run for governor.”
We called Caprio campaign spokesman Nick Hemond for a response.
Hemond responded by talking up Caprio’s performance as treasurer. Asked whether Caprio has a policy on making up time spent campaigning during business hours, Hemond referred that question to the treasurer’s office. He added, “But just look at the results. The results are there. The performance is there. The efficiency of the office is unmatched, the transparency of the office is unmatched, and he’ll stand by that.”
I have a call in to Mark Dingley, Caprio’s chief of staff at Treasury (spokesman Tim Gray left his job there this week to pursue other ventures). I’ll post Dingley’s response if and when he responds.
UPDATE, 5:53 pm. Dingley called back a short time ago. Asked the same question as the one put to Hemond, Dingley said Caprio remains “in constant contact with the treasurer’s office,” and “is available to answer any questions” during campaign activities and/or other periods away from the office.
Dingley says he hasn’t discussed with Caprio the question of whether the treasurer should have a plan or policy for making up for campaign time, adding, “It seems like he hasn’t missed a beat.”
