The Rhode Island Ethics Commission has voted to launch a full investigation into allegations of conflict of interest involving Central Falls Mayor Charles Moreau. The complaint was filed last month by the Rhode Island Republican Party, based on an investigation by The Hummel Report.

We revealed in mid-January that Moreau, a four-term Democrat, received a price break on a furnace he had installed by a friend and campaign contributor- who also has a lucrative city contract to board up foreclosed homes in Central Falls. That contributor, Mike Bouthillette arranged to have a furnace installed at the mayor's house last March, at a cost of $6,875, initially paying the bill himself. Moreau told The Hummel Report that he reimbursed Bouthillette for $6,000 - in cash.

Our investigation prompted the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes unit to begin investigating the furnace deal, as well as Bouthillette's board-up work in the city, which has netted him millions of dollars. The Hummel Report has learned that detectives have set up an office in City Hall and are poring through land records. Mayor Moreau, meanwhile, has been unavailable for public comment and largely absent from City Hall since our story broke on Jan. 14th.

Click HERE to watch the original report, click HERE for Part 2, and click HERE for an Update Report.