Vol. CXXXII · No. CLXXXIFRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026Ocean State Edition

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181 articles · page 13 of 16
GovernanceJudiciaryPaywall

Governor McKee nominates two women to Rhode Island Superior Court

Governor Dan McKee nominated Joanna M. Achille and Maria Ferro Deaton to fill vacant seats on the Rhode Island Superior Court on April 29. If confirmed by the state Senate, Achille would replace retired Judge Stephen Nugent and Deaton would replace retired Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg. The nominations come amid scrutiny of McKee's judicial picks and questions about whether he will nominate House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi for a Supreme Court vacancy.

bostonglobe.comMAY 1, 2026
JudiciaryCommercePaywall

Citizens Bank Faces Class Action Lawsuits After Data Breach in Providence Federal Court

Two class action lawsuits were filed in US District Court in Providence on Wednesday following a Citizens Bank data breach affecting a few thousand customers. Plaintiffs Jillian Russell Hauser of Ohio and Lorien Hansford of Maine allege the Providence-based bank was negligent and breached implied contracts after a third-party vendor incident exposed customer names, addresses, and account numbers. Each lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $5 million. Citizens said there is no evidence of unauthorized access to its network and affected customers will be contacted directly.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
bostonglobe.comAPR 30, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Dominican National Sentenced to 78 Months for California-to-Rhode Island Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Nelson Reyes Luciano, 41, was sentenced in US District Court in Providence to 78 months imprisonment for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that involved shipping 10 parcels of cocaine and fentanyl to Rhode Island through two private commercial mail carriers. Over six weeks beginning in February 2022, Reyes Luciano shipped multiple packages from California to the home of co-conspirator Rosangeles Bueno in Providence. Investigators seized approximately eight kilograms of cocaine and 2.2 kilograms of fentanyl. Reyes Luciano pleaded guilty in December 2025 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.

fallriverreporter.comAPR 30, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryFree press

House Judiciary Committee advances bill expanding criminal record expungement

The Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee voted 10-5 to advance legislation that would expand expungement eligibility to up to four nonviolent felonies, but only 15 years after completing a final sentence. The bill excludes violent crimes and offenses such as child endangerment, elder abuse, and DUI. Currently, first-time offenders can have a single felony expunged 10 years after sentence completion. The State Senate passed the bill in April.

patch.comAPR 30, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Federal judge blocks DOJ immigration conditions on grants for domestic violence survivors

US District Judge Melissa DuBose issued a preliminary injunction preventing the DOJ from enforcing new funding restrictions that would bar organizations serving domestic violence survivors from helping noncitizens. The ruling in favor of 25 domestic violence coalitions from 21 states allows continued challenge to Trump administration efforts to withhold Violence Against Women Act grants. The case argues restrictions violate federal Administrative Procedure Act.

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

House Speaker Shekarchi has until May 7 to apply for RI Supreme Court vacancy

House Speaker Joe Shekarchi faces a May 7 deadline to apply for the vacant RI Supreme Court seat. Legal observers expect Shekarchi would step down as speaker if he applies, likely elevating Chris Blazejewski. The opening looms over General Assembly budget and legislative negotiations. Article notes 'the other question is what the Senate will get for agreeing to make Shekarchi a judge.'

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

RI interim US Attorney's 120-day term ends Tuesday; Trump could replace court's choice

Charles 'Chas' Calenda's interim US Attorney term expires April 29. US District Court for Rhode Island received six applications for the position and could appoint a new interim prosecutor. Legal observers note the Trump administration has promptly fired replacements for loyalists in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, suggesting Calenda could be reinstalled as first assistant if the court names a non-loyalist.

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

NJ man sues RI State Police and Coventry over 25-day wrongful detention in 2023

Freddie J. Spann filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging he was unlawfully arrested and held in Florida correctional facilities for over 25 days on RI warrants stemming from mistaken identity. Spann, a rental-car company owner, was detained after one of his vehicles was sought by police. The suit in US District Court seeks over $1 million for false arrest and malicious prosecution.

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryCommerceFree press

Federal judge temporarily halts RI cannabis retail license lottery over residency rules

US District Judge Melissa DuBose issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission from processing applications or holding a May lottery for up to 24 new dispensary licenses. Three out-of-state retailers challenged the 2022 Cannabis Act's residency requirement, arguing it violates the dormant commerce clause and equal protection clause. CCC filed an appeal last week.

browndailyherald.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Parents sue Warwick over daughter's 2023 drowning at Conimicut Point Beach

Nicolette Biber's parents filed wrongful-death lawsuits in US District Court and Kent County Superior Court alleging the city knew of dangerous currents after prior drownings but failed to ensure visitor safety. Biber, 28, drowned in July 2023 near a sandbar where a 10-year-old and rescuer drowned in 2021. Suits allege negligence and seek unspecified damages; city declined comment.

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Family Court dismisses grandparents' visitation petition after 18-day trial

Judge Felix Gill dismissed a petition by retired physicians seeking court-ordered visits with their 4-year-old granddaughter over her father's objections. The 18-day trial hinged on a secret recording in which Scott Naso explained his reasons for denying access. Gill ruled grandparents failed to prove Naso's decision was unreasonable under RI's grandparents visitation law, though he believed visits would benefit the child.

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
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