Maria Bucci, former mayoral candidate and chair of the Cranston Democratic Committee, was arrested early Thursday morning in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and charged with driving under the influence.
Police reports indicate that Bucci was observed swerving on Division Road just after midnight.
When officers pulled her over, they reported detecting a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” coming from her vehicle.
They also noted that her eyes appeared “severely bloodshot, glassy, and watery.” Bucci was asked to perform field sobriety tests but struggled to complete them successfully.
Body-worn camera footage reveals that Bucci repeatedly referenced her political position and family connections in law enforcement.
“You know who I am, right?” she asked the officer, later adding, “My nephew is law enforcement, my uncle’s law enforcement.”
The encounter escalated as Bucci grew increasingly confrontational, instructing her cousin to contact her husband and other officials.
At one point, she 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.”
Officers eventually took her into custody after she failed to properly complete the sobriety tests.
During handcuffing, Bucci continued to verbally criticize the use of body-worn cameras and directed profanities at the arresting officer.
Court documents indicate Bucci faces a misdemeanor DUI charge for a first offense.
She was released on $1,000 personal recognizance and is scheduled to be arraigned in Kent County District Court on Jan. 5. As of the latest filings, she had not yet retained an attorney, according to The Boston Globe.
Bucci’s political history includes serving as a city councilor and running unsuccessfully for mayor of Cranston in 2020.
She also narrowly lost a bid for Rhode Island House District 15 in 2024. Party officials have declined to comment on her arrest.
The incident has prompted criticism from political opponents.
The Rhode Island Young Republicans called on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes to donate a $500 campaign contribution she received from Bucci to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, GoLocalProv reports.
Ken Naylor, chairman of the group, said, “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 arrest also raises broader questions about accountability among political insiders.
Some critics argue that Bucci’s behavior demonstrates a concerning sense of entitlement among public figures and underscores the need for transparency in how campaign contributions are handled.
Despite the charges, Bucci has not publicly responded to media inquiries.
The case remains ongoing, with further updates expected at her upcoming arraignment.
Local media outlets note that observers will be watching closely to see how the legal process unfolds and whether political allies or opponents respond further.
Bucci’s arrest serves as a reminder of the intersection between personal conduct and public accountability, highlighting how legal issues can quickly become political flashpoints, particularly for individuals active in local and state campaigns.
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