Carpenter Takes Nassaney Feud to News Media

October 21st 2023

CRANSTON – Former Richmond Town Council President Nell Carpenter took to television news Friday evening to discuss complaints she has made to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission regarding Town Council Vice President Richard Nassaney.

Carpenter’s interview was included in a report on Channel 10 during the 6 o’clock broadcast.

The complaints were filed in September. The Ethics Commission is conducting full investigations into both, which it has 180 days from the day of filing to complete.

Reached in Pennsylvania where he was traveling on business, Nassaney said he would not comment on the complaints because the investigations are ongoing.

The Complaints 

Filed on Sept. 14, the document introduces both complaints by stating that Nassaney “has acted in violation of the Rhode Island Code of Ethics.”

The first violation, Carpenter states, took place at a special Town Council meeting on Aug. 29, 2023, during which the Washington Pomona Grange, which runs the Washington County Fair, had complained to the town about the comportment of the town’s newly-appointed Electrical Inspector, Jeffrey Vaillancourt.

Nassaney, who sells his brand of sauce, “Rich’s Sweet Heat” at the Washington County Fair, recused himself from the discussion, citing that business relationship.

However, Carpenter charges that Nassaney nevertheless participated in that meeting, because,

“…after Councilman [Michael] Colasante obtained the floor and was speaking, Vice President Nassaney intentionally distracted the President by tapping him on his left arm. The Vice President effectively influences and gains the attention of the President in this action as evident in the video. As a result, The [sic] Council President then says ‘Hold on” and interrupts Councilman Colasante mid-sentence. At this time, Vice President Nassaney having commandeered the floor with this action, directs the President’s attention to the Administrator with two [2] finger points in her direction to his left. At that point, the Administrator interjects.”

The Second Violation

Carpenter states that on June 6, 2023, in an executive session that was closed to the public, councilors discussed the job performance of Electrical Inspector Jeffrey Vaillancourt and a complaint about Vaillancourt’s behavior made to the town by Pasquale Farms.

Nassaney, whose sauce is sold at Pasquale Farms, recused himself from the discussion.

Carpenter states that Nassaney nevertheless “participated in the closed session and upon resuming open session, Vice President Nassaney spoke extensively regarding the electrical inspectors [sic] job performance and behavior relating to his business associate, ‘Pasquale Farms.’ He additionally voted to take disciplinary action against the electrical inspector.”

Carpenter’s apparent knowledge of the details of a discussion that took place during the closed session has raised some eyebrows. Once the minutes of those Executive Session minutes are sealed, councilors are not to publicly discuss their contents, but Carpenter, who is not even on the council, seems to have a thorough knowledge of what transpired at the second “closed session” meeting.

The WJAR report appeared to take a slightly satirical view of the situation, framing it as a small-town, political dust-up over hot sauce.

In the first of several sauce-related puns, the reporter says,

“It’s not just a condiment, but an ingredient in a heated political climate in Richmond that’s getting messy. Rich’s Sweet Heat, sold locally and online. Rich is Richmond Town Councilman Richard Nassaney and his sauce had already landed him in a bit of a sticky situation…”

In the interview, Carpenter states that Nassaney may have recused himself from the discussions at the two meetings, but he had nevertheless participated in them.

“He was very effective in interjecting and participating,” she said, referring to her first complaint.

Carpenter was chosen council President over Nassaney in 2020, and the two were frequently at odds. Still, Council President Mark Trimmer was aghast to learn that those conflicts appeared to have continued to fester.

“I think it’s incredibly disappointing that she has not let the feud between her and Rich go,” he said. “Rich has moved on. She hasn’t. I just think it’s bizarre that she would be involved in all of this. Absolutely bizarre to me.”

Responding to a question from the reporter about her personal animosity toward Nassaney, Carpenter answered,

“Is it personal? Is that what you’re asking? We’re not breaking bread anytime soon and that’s not a secret.”