Maria Bucci, the Cranston Democratic Committee Chair and a former mayoral candidate, was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, early Thursday morning. According to police reports, she was observed swerving on Division Road shortly after midnight. Upon being stopped by law enforcement, officers noted a strong odor of alcohol emanating from her vehicle and described her eyes as "severely bloodshot, glassy, and watery."
Despite being asked to perform field sobriety tests, Bucci struggled to complete them, which prompted officers to take further action. Body-worn camera footage acquired during the incident reveals that Bucci made several attempts to leverage her political connections, mentioning her nephew and uncle's positions in law enforcement to the attending officers. "You know who I am, right?" Bucci is heard saying on the recording. She later instructed her cousin to contact her husband and "the attorney general and everybody else in town," showcasing her distress and confrontational demeanor.
The situation intensified when Bucci exclaimed, "Call my husband right now, and call the attorney general and everybody else in town, 'cause this is disgusting. God forbid I was a Black person, I’d be arrested." The arresting officer proceeded to take her into custody after her failure to complete the sobriety tests adequately.
During the arrest, Bucci continued to express her displeasure, criticizing the use of body-worn cameras and directing profanities at the officer. Court documents reveal that she faces a misdemeanor DUI charge for a first offense and was released on $1,000 personal recognizance. Her arraignment is scheduled for January 5th at Kent County District Court, and as per The Boston Globe, she has not yet retained an attorney.
Bucci's political career has seen her serve as a city councilor and run for mayor of Cranston in 2020, a race in which she was not successful. She also narrowly lost her bid for Rhode Island House District 15 in 2024. The Democratic Party officials have yet to comment on her arrest.
This incident has prompted criticism from political opponents, with the Rhode Island Young Republicans urging Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes to donate a $500 campaign contribution from Bucci to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Ken Naylor, chairman of the group, emphasized, "Public safety, personal responsibility, and respect for the law aren't abstract principles. Leadership is about the judgment you show through your actions when it matters most."
The broader implications of Bucci's behavior have sparked a conversation about entitlement among public figures and the importance of transparency in campaign contributions management. Despite the charges, Bucci has not made any public statements in response to media inquiries. The case continues to unfold, with further developments expected at the upcoming arraignment. Observers and local media are closely monitoring the situation to see how the legal process will play out and whether there will be additional responses from political allies or adversaries.
