Fung Joins DePetro Boycott over "Offensive and Denigrating" Comments

Stating there has to be "some limit" about what is appropriate for talk radio, Cranston Mayor and state gubernatorial candidate Allan W. Fung has joined the growing list of politicians who say they won't appear on WPRO until John DePetro is fired.

"John DePetro’s comments were quite offensive and denigrating of women," Fung said. "There has to be some limits about what can be said even on talk radio. John DePetro has stepped over the line too many times. I will not appear on his show.”

In a Twitter exchange with WPRI's Dan McGowan, Fung clarified that he is willing to appear on other WPRO programs.

"WPRO is a private business that employs many Rhode Islanders. I will respect the ultimate decision of their management team and will not interfere in their decision making process," Fung said. "During this time of high unemployment it would be especially unfair to allow the statements of one person to impact a major employer to the detriment of others. The unions should not be dictating how a business operates. My entire focus is putting Rhode Islanders back to work. I will not be e boycotting all hosts."

DePetro, no stranger to controversy, has been under fire since he made comments about union members protesting outside a September fundraiser for state treasurer Gina Raimondo in September. He referred to them as "union hags" and "whores" in his critique.

A coalition dubbed "For our Daughters" led by several key union officials, including Liz Larkin, head of the Cranston teacher's union, sprung up in response to those comments.

Since then an increasing number of politicians have either signed the petition created by the group calling for DePetro's ouster or have publicly agreed to not appear on either DePetro's show or WPRO altogether.

Other local names include Cranston School Committee members Mike Traficante, Andrea Iannazzi and Jeff Gale; Cranston City Council Members Sarah Lee, Michael Farina and Steve Stycos; and Sen. Hanna Gallo. Also signing on is former Cranston City Council President Anthony Lupino, who said he is mulling another foray into local politics.

With Fung adding his name to the list, WPRO is facing the prospect of being unable to get anyone running for Governor on the air as long as DePetro remains employed. Providence Mayor and candidate Angel Taveras said "you will not be hearing me on his show" and later said he wouldn't appear on WPRO at all because "a strong statement needs to be sent that this language is not appropriate."

General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, also a likely candidate for Governor, said DePetro's choice of words was demeaning towards women and "should not be tolerated," according to the Providence Journal.

DePetro has spoken mostly in praise of Raimondo and her efforts to reform the state pension system.

DePetro, who has been on vacation since the ordeal began, issued an apology for his words and pledged to take a more "sensitive" approach on his program.