In a four and a half minute special meeting of the Providence City Council that barely attained a quorum with eight council members present, former City Council Member Luis Aponte was officially removed from the council. Aponte had submitted his resignation letter as part of a plea agreement with the Rhode Island Attorney General‘s office on charges of embezzlement.

This opens the way for a special election, yet to be scheduled by the Board of Elections. So far, according to Boston Globe reporter Daniel McGowan, four people have expressed an interest in running for the empty Ward 10 seat.

• Businessman Pedro Espinal, who came within 24 votes of beating Aponte in the last election;
• Natalia Rosa Sosa, who served on the Providence School Board under Mayor Angel Taveras;
• activist Monica Huertas, director of No LNG in PVD; and
• Orlando Correa, a member of the Building Trades

Heurtas has announced her campaign here.

Here is the video of Friday Afternoon’s Providence City Council meeting:

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