NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Town Council President Joseph Burchfield resigned from the council Friday, one day after he was charged in a corruption scandal with two other council members.
Burchfield and council members John Zambarano and Raymond Douglas III were charged Thursday with taking $25,000 in bribes to pave the way for a local supermarket project.
"Effective immediately I am resigning my position as Town Council President and as a North Providence Town Councilor. This action, I believe is in the best interest of the residents of North Providence in light of recent federal allegations. The allegations and media attention are distractions that threaten to overshadow the very real work that is needed to shepherd North Providence through these difficult economic times," Burchfield's resignation letter said.
Mayor Charles Lombardi told NBC 10 that the corruption charges and the acceptance of Burchfield's resignation are low points for the town and his tenure as mayor.
"In my opinion, it was the best thing for him to do, for both himself and the town," Lombardi said.
Lombardi said he is urging, but not yet asking, the other two council members to resign.
Affidavits in the case say a fellow councilman blew the whistle on Burchfield, Zambarano and Douglas.
Lawyers for the three men maintain their clients' innocence.
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