WARWICK – Warwick police have identified the pedestrian killed Sunday on Route 2 Sunday by an alleged hit-and-run driver as embattled former state District Court administrator Nicholas R. Cote.
Cote, 44, who was living in Florida and recently survived a car crash, was killed Sunday night after being struck by a hit-and-run driver near a strip mall complex at 709 Quaker Lane, the police said.
Cote was initially struck by a vehicle driven by a 26-year-old Logan Barboza, of West Warwick, as she drove south on Quaker Lane, the police said. A witness told officers that Cote was walking in the right southbound lane at the time he was hit in an area that has no sidewalks.
Barboza stopped to check on Cote when they were both hit by a dark-colored Jeep Grand Cherokee, fatally injuring Cote, the police said. The Jeep drove off south on Quaker Lane.
Cote was pronounced dead at the scene. Barboza was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries, the police said .
The hit-and-run driver remains at large and faces criminal charges, the police said.
Cote had a long, storied District Court career; filed lawsuit
Cote, a longtime District Court administrator, sued District Court Chief Judge Jeanne E. LaFazia and other judicial leaders in federal court in February, accusing them of forcing his resignation by creating a hostile work environment and retaliating against him after he reported racist, homophobic and misogynistic behavior by fellow administrator Stephen Waluk.
Cote alleged that LaFazia, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell, State Court Administrator Julie Hamil, District Court Administrator Jamie Hainsworth and unnamed others violated his rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act and the state Whistleblower’s Protection Act, among other violations.
Cote worked in District Court as a “fixer” for 21 years and rose to the role of assistant administrator with a salary of $111,185 due to his hard work, talent and “likeability,” according to Cote’s lawsuit.
Cote said problems arose when LaFazia became chief judge of the court and asked him to do work on her homes in Rhode Island and Florida. The projects for the chief judge “never fully ended” before others were suggested or required to be completed during court hours and on weekends, he said.
More problems developed due to then-Administrator Waluk’s “misogynist, racist and homophobic” comments at work, the suit alleged.
Waluk was hired by LaFazia as chief clerk of the court in 2012 and was promoted to court administrator in 2015. He resigned Dec. 2, 2022, with an ending salary of $174,143, including longevity earned from previous state service, according to the courts.
The courts asked for Waluk’s resignation after Cote said he produced emails from the administrator, according to Cote’s claims.
Waluk has expressed regret for using “bad words” in communications with Cote.
Cote alleged that LaFazia and other court officials retaliated against him by demoting him to an entry-level position, axing his salary by $70,000 and spreading false information that he was a “drug addict” for reporting Waluk’s behavior the suit says.
After consulting the union, Cote was encouraged to resign Nov. 28, amounting to a “constructive” firing without cause, the suit says.
LaFazia categorically denied the allegations through her lawyer, Michael Colucci.
“Whenever one stains the noble halls of a courthouse with fiction and fantasy, it is disappointing to say the least. Should he choose to proceed forward, we will have no choice but to defend vigorously and reveal the truth,” Colucci said on LaFazia’s behalf.
Cote is survived by a young daughter and beloved German shepherd, as well as his parents and a sister.
Police ask for assistance
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information can reach the Traffic Unit at 468-4200.
Anonymous tips can be submitted via the WARWICKPD app or text WARWICKPD to 847411.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Warwick hit-and-run victim ID’d as former court admin and whistleblower
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