Central Falls, Receiver Spar

The appointment of a receiver by Rhode Island for Central Falls has landed in court. A hearing is scheduled for Monday in state superior court.

Receiver Mark Pfeiffer is seeking an injunction to prevent Mayor Charles Moreau from making appointments to city boards. Meanwhile, Moreau and the City Council have filed suits challenging the constitutionality of the new law that brought the city into state receivership.

Under the statute, the receiver has the same powers as elected officials. One of Pfeiffer’s first acts was to take away Moreau’s authority, leaving him mayor in name only.

“We believe the statute is constitutional,” said Amy Kempe, spokeswoman for Gov. Donald Carcieri and Pfeiffer. The receiver’s case asks for a judgment on the constitutionality of the law, which was swiftly enacted after the city in May went into judge-appointed receivership, the state’s equivalent of bankruptcy.

City Council President William ­Benson Jr. said the law was too broad and unconstitutional because it usurped local authority. “He has taken over everything,” Benson said of Pfeiffer.  “He has unfettered authority.”

Pfeiffer blocked a resolution for the council to hire its own attorney, which Benson said was necessary for members due to a federal investigation of Moreau.

“I don’t want them talking to the state police and FBI without counsel,” Benson said. “He told me we couldn’t have counsel and rescinded the resolution.”

Part of the financial mess stems from lower-than-expected revenue from the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility. On Thursday, state police arrested the former warden, Wayne Salisbury Jr., for allegedly collecting more than $16,000 for unused vacation hours that he had not earned.

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