News Summary
A 29-year-old North Providence Public Works employee, Alessio Dandrea, has been accused of poisoning a coworker by contaminating their Gatorade with windshield washer fluid. The incident led to hospitalization due to severe poisoning. Dandrea has been placed on indefinite unpaid leave, and an investigation is underway. Concerns have arisen regarding his prior legal issues, with town officials questioning the effectiveness of the hiring process and background checks for municipal employees.
North Providence Public Works Employee Accused of Poisoning Coworker
In North Providence, a 29-year-old Public Works Department employee, Alessio Dandrea, has been accused of poisoning a coworker by pouring windshield washer fluid into their Gatorade bottle. The alleged incident occurred in the workplace in plain view of multiple coworkers.
The affected employee unknowingly consumed the toxic fluid, which led to severe illness and required hospitalization on two occasions due to poisoning. Windshield washer fluid contains methanol, a substance that can have fatal consequences, including potential blindness and death.
Investigation and Employment Status
Following the incident, Dandrea has been placed on indefinite unpaid leave from his position. The North Providence police department is actively investigating the poisoning incident. Concern has been expressed by town officials regarding Dandrea’s prior legal issues, which may not have been adequately considered during his hiring process.
North Providence Town Council President Dino Autiello has raised serious concerns about the apparent communication breakdown in the hiring process and the lack of formal policies regarding background checks for municipal employees. Acting Public Works Director Bernie Salvatore was reportedly unaware of Dandrea’s criminal history when he was employed.
Criminal Background of Alessio Dandrea
Dandrea was previously charged with federal offenses, including possession of an unregistered firearm silencer and unlicensed importation of a machine gun. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice charged him after a search of his residence uncovered two firearm silencers, six firearms, and a “lightning link” auto sear that modifies semi-automatic rifles to operate as automatic weapons.
Following these federal charges, Dandrea had received a $10,000 bond with conditions that required him to obey the law and undergo mental health treatment. There is growing concern about how his prior legal issues were overlooked during the hiring process, which may highlight deficiencies in the town’s Human Resources operations.
Implications for the Town’s Hiring Practices
As a result of the poisoning incident and Dandrea’s previous criminal record, President Autiello plans to formally request documentation about the hiring process and background checks from the Mayor. This incident has ignited discussions regarding the protocols in place for employing municipal workers and the need for stricter policies to ensure that all potential employees undergo rigorous background checks.
This incident underscores the significant risk posed by employees with potential criminal backgrounds holding public positions, especially in workplaces where safety and trust are paramount. The outcome of the ongoing investigation into Dandrea’s actions and the implications for town policies remain to be seen.
Conclusion
Currently, the investigation continues, with North Providence residents and officials awaiting further developments. The seriousness of the incident has resonated throughout the community, calling into question the effectiveness of current hiring procedures for municipal employees and the overall safety of the workplace environment.
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Additional Resources
- WPRI: North Providence Employee Accused of Poisoning Coworker
- Turn to 10: North Providence Town Employee Accused of Poisoning Coworkers Drink
- Boston.com: R.I. City Employee Placed on Leave After Allegedly Poisoning Coworker
- MSN News: North Providence Public Works Employee Accused of Poisoning Coworkers Drink
- GoLocalProv: Council President Deeply Disturbed by Alleged Poisoning and Man’s Hiring
- Wikipedia: Hire
- Google Search: North Providence employee poisoning
- Google Scholar: North Providence employee poisoning
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Poisoning
- Google News: North Providence employee poisoning
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
