CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — The Cranston City Council has green-lighted an independent investigation into Mayor Ken Hopkins' controversial car deal. Councilors voted 5-3 in favor of the investigation, but it will only happen if Hopkins is found liable in lawsuit against him. In the federal civil case, Davide Broccoli accuses Hopkins of taking the keys to a white 1975 Morris Garage MGB and not making payments on it for three years. He also claims Hopkins put city license plate on the car. TARGET 12: Cranston mayor sued after allegedly failing to pay for car taken 3 years ago "He took the car without the a title, drove it without being registered," said Councilor Robert Ferri during Monday's Cranston City Council meeting. Hopkins called the lawsuit a "political hit job" because it was filed close to the Cranston mayoral election. "I have offered to pay for it all the way back through July of 2022, Mr. Broccoli refuses," Hopkins said during the WPRI 12 debate in October. But the accusations have continued to follow Hopkins, even after winning the mayoral race. The resolution approved Monday states that, if allegations like "fraud, unjust enrichment, wrongful conversion of property, removal and destruction of property," are found to be true in the civil case, then the Cranston City Council will launch its own investigation into wrongdoing. Anthony Moretti, Hopkins' chief of staff, was also named in the lawsuit. He said this new resolution is premature and political theater. "Even though I know the truth, that I did nothing wrong ... I was hoping that the decency of the Cranston City Council would prevail to withdraw this misleading and unnecessary resolution," he said. Council President Jessica Marino said she hopes an investigation will not be necessary. But she said if Hopkins is found liable in the lawsuit, residents deserve transparency, especially when taxpayer funds are being used to defend Hopkins. "We cannot shirk away from our responsibility to answer to the public with these allegations currently pending," she said. Target 12 reached out to Hopkins for his take and was told he was "under the weather." Kate Wilkinson ([email protected]) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW