RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, and he declined to comment on the episode that led to the charge.
Avedisian arrived at the Kent County Courthouse with his lawyer, former House Speaker John Harwood, and didn’t respond to questions from reporters before and after his appearance.
“We have no comment,” Harwood said outside the courthouse, “but we will have some comment. What we’re going to try to do is just find out what the discovery looks like and then we’ll get back to youse, ok?”
During a brief arraignment, Avedisian was released on $1,000 personal recognizance and his next hearing was scheduled for April 25.
The proceeding did not include a description of the events leading to the misdemeanor charge.
According to a police report cited by WPRI, one of the other drivers involved in a minor accident last week at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Warwick said Avedisian may have been under the influence at the time. The RIPTA CEO left the scene shortly after the incident.
Avedisian was using a car provided by RIPTA at the time. He has been chief executive of the public transit agency since 2018.
A RIPTA spokeswoman said she was not aware of any change in Avedisian’s status as CEO.
Olivia DaRocha, spokeswoman for Gov. Dan McKee, said via email, “The governor believes this a serious issue but we should wait to see how it unfolds and that it is premature to jump to conclusions until the legal process is complete. The governor also expects all members of his leadership team to conduct themselves professionally. When all of the facts are delivered, we will respond accordingly.”
Avedisian, a Republican, previously served as mayor of Warwick for 18 years.