PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — A city employee in Pawtucket has been placed on paid administrative leave after a comment he made on social media raised concerns Friday afternoon.

Joseph Morais, a senior engineering project manager, is on leave as the city investigates a comment the mayor’s office called “racist and inappropriate.” The comment is no longer visible on the original social media post.

“Clearly these are deplorable comments. They have no place in our city and they’re just not going to be tolerated,” Mayor Donald Grebien’s chief of staff, Ryan Holt, told 12 News. “We ultimately believe that this is a terminable offense.”

Holt said that as a union employee, Morais is entitled to paid administrative leave while the city conducts an investigation and pre-termination hearing, but added that he expects the process will take “days, not weeks.”

Charles “Chachi” Carvalho, Pawtucket’s chief equity officer , said he found the comment “extremely disappointing.”

“We have folks that call Pawtucket home from all corners of the globe,” Carvalho said. “It’s unfortunate when somebody doesn’t share that same value, that we’re all equal and all should treat each other with respect.”

Harrison Tuttle, the president of Black Lives Matter Rhode Island PAC, called for all of Morais’ actions as a city employee to be investigated.

“The citizens of Pawtucket, especially its Black and Brown residents, are entitled to higher standards,” Tuttle said.

12 News reached out to Morais for comment, but has yet to hear back.

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