RI Political Corruption
Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Francis Darrigan ruled yesterday that it is legal for state legislators to try personally to enrich themselves through their votes, or even to cast votes based on bribes that they accept. Bruce Landis has the details in today’s Projo. So now if a sitting Senator – even the Senate President,…
(h/t, Commenter Aldo). From Talia Buford of the Projo on October 3…The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the state Board of Elections to recount all ballots cast in the disputed West Warwick Democratic primary race in which political newcomer Michael Pinga defeated state Sen. Stephen D. Alves. The amended court order mirrors one issued Wednesday in…
If, after all of the technicalities are applied, Stephen Alves returns to his seat in the Rhode Island Senate, Rhode Islanders ought to take it as a final straw: Yesterday, the court gave some insight into its decision. According to Craig Berke, spokesman for the state judiciary, the court withheld its decision on the Alves…
Touching story in yesterday’s Providence Journal: Apparently, the friends of John Cicilline, brother of the Providence mayor, had a little going-to-jail party for him, in order to keep his family from suffering financially from his conviction as a justice-system-manipulating shake-down lawyer. This line added some comic relief: “It was a nice event to help a…
One often hears that the speaker of the Rhode Island House is the most powerful politician (along with the Senate president) in the state, but it takes a while to develop an appreciation of what the means. Here, for one indication, is evidence of their royal ability to dispense paid time off without having to…
Former Rhode Island Senate President William Irons’ initial line of defense against charges brought against him by the Rhode Island Ethics Commission rests, first, on a claim of immunity that has never before been recognized in the law and, second, on a claim that a judge can use an interpretation of the law without precedent…
Democratic Party Chairman William Lynch has withdrawn his challenge to Jon Scott’s ballot certification as a candidate for Congress in Rhode Island’s First District. On Friday, candidate Scott was informed by the Board of Elections of the challenge to the Secretary of State’s certification, but was not informed of any specific signatures under challenge, nor…
Regardless of the identity of the alleged harasser, I agree with Will that the timing of Bobby Oliveira’s arrest is suspicious. I’d even go so far as to suggest that it’s reason for concern, given its Rhode Island political context: The police yesterday picked up School Committee candidate Robert. T. Oliveira on a year-old arrest…
I took the call last night to Matt Allen to talk about the RI governance philosophy on display at the Tiverton School Committee meeting this week (segment streamable by clicking here, or download). I’m not sure whether it’s a good thing or reason for concern, but I think I’m starting to get the feel of…
Be sure to note the closing paragraph of today’s Projo article on the last bit of legislation for this year: The Senate plans to return Thursday to confirm new traffic court magistrate David Cruise, Montalbano’s chief of staff, and a new District Court judge, Mary Elizabeth McCaffrey, sister of the Senate Judiciary chairman. As I…