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

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181 articles · page 2 of 16
JudiciaryFree press

Defense Challenges State Police Lead Investigator's Credibility in Major Drug Case

Defense attorney Kevin Bristow filed a 102-page motion challenging Rhode Island State Police Detective Matthew Lynch's credibility in the Kenneth LaFlamme drug prosecution, alleging Lynch is "fabricating facts or demonstrating an absolute reckless disregard for accuracy." LaFlamme faces 17 felonies tied to a September 2024 bust that seized 279 pounds of marijuana, 922 mature plants, firearms, and nearly $80,000. Lynch is also the lead investigator in the Dino Guilmette indictment.

golocalprov.comJUN 26, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Ethics Complaint Targets Senate President Lawson Over Dual Role Leading Teachers Union

Defending Education, a Virginia-based nonprofit, filed an ethics complaint on June 24, 2026, against Rhode Island Senate President Val Lawson, alleging she violated Ethics Commission guidance by voting on a charter-school moratorium and a card-check unionization bill while serving as president of the National Education Association Rhode Island. Lawson defended her votes, stating she consulted with legal staff and determined there was either no conflict or she was covered by the class exemption.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
wpri.comJUN 26, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

RI State Police Arrest 6 in World Cup Human Trafficking Sting

Rhode Island State Police announced six arrests in Operation Red Card, a multi-agency enforcement operation targeting commercial sex acts, child exploitation, and human trafficking during the FIFA World Cup. Richard Lallier was held without bail in federal court on attempted enticement and transmission of obscene material to a minor. Five others—Joshua Lincoln, Franco Miccoli, Jacob Palazzo, Travis Shaw, and Rocky Joseph—were charged with indecent solicitation of a minor and released on personal recognizance.

turnto10.comJUN 25, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

First Circuit Affirms RI Superior Court Ruling on Probable Cause in Civil Rights Arrest Case

The First Circuit affirmed a U.S. District Court (D.R.I.) ruling that probable cause existed for a plaintiff's arrest by Barrington police, granting summary judgment on eight of eleven counts and remanding three state-law claims (RIGL §12-7-3) to Superior Court. The Superior Court subsequently addressed motions to dismiss; res judicata bars several claims, but dismissal of the civil conspiracy claim was denied. The case involves alleged negligence and civil-rights violations.

rilawyersweekly.comJUN 25, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Ethics Commission Rejects Shekarchi's Motion to Dismiss Supreme Court Ethics Complaint

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted 5-1 to reject former House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi's motion to dismiss an ethics complaint challenging his bid for a state Supreme Court seat. The complaint, filed by former Roger Williams Law Dean Michael Yelnosky, alleges Shekarchi violated the state's 'revolving door' law by applying to the court shortly after stepping down as Speaker in May 2026. Shekarchi's attorney announced plans to file in either Supreme or Superior Court within 48 hours, and the commission declined to halt its investigation pending court proceedings.

wpri.comJUN 24, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Rhode Island Supreme Court Reverses Jury Dismissal in UIM Coverage Dispute

The Rhode Island Supreme Court quashed a Superior Court order that discharged a jury mid-trial in O'Rourke v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance, holding that whether a claimant's use of a non-owned vehicle constitutes 'regular use' under an underinsured motorist policy is a factual question for the jury. Chief Justice Suttell authored the opinion remanding the case for a new trial. The decision addresses how courts should treat common auto-policy exclusions in UIM coverage disputes.

verdict.newsJUN 24, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

State to Drop One of 13 Defendants in Washington Bridge Lawsuit

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha's office announced it will dismiss claims against Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants Inc., one of 13 companies sued over their work on the failed westbound Washington Bridge. A spokesperson said discovery produced to date highlights the central role of other defendants in the negligent conduct at issue. The state will continue pursuing claims against the remaining 12 defendants, with trial scheduled for late 2027.

wpri.comJUN 24, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePrimary

Governor McKee Appoints Ralph Liguori to Judicial Nominating Commission

Governor Dan McKee appointed attorney Ralph Liguori to serve on the Rhode Island Judicial Nominating Commission, the independent body responsible for recommending candidates for judicial appointments. Liguori, a partner at Jones Kelleher with 33 years of trial experience, previously served on the Rhode Island Supreme Court Disciplinary Board and the Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline. The JNC was created in 1994 and is composed of nine volunteer Rhode Island residents.

einpresswire.comJUN 24, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

First Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Second Amendment Challenge on Standing Grounds

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed dismissal of a plaintiff's federal lawsuit challenging firearms prohibitions for persons subject to protective orders, holding the plaintiff failed to satisfy the redressability component of Article III standing. The court also affirmed dismissal of a damages claim on qualified immunity grounds. The case involved challenges to federal and state statutes prohibiting firearm possession by persons with certain convictions or protective orders.

rilawyersweekly.comJUN 24, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Two Rhode Islanders Charged in $6.5 Billion Federal Healthcare Fraud Crackdown

Two Providence residents were charged in a nationwide Justice Department healthcare fraud enforcement action involving 455 defendants and $6.5 billion in alleged fraud. Mareli Arias Batista and Balni Pimental Lara face federal charges including aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and healthcare fraud for allegedly obtaining Rhode Island Medicaid benefits using false identities. The DOJ announced approximately 1,079 medical providers were suspended and 1,403 had billing privileges revoked.

turnto10.comJUN 24, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Rhode Island Supreme Court Affirms Sexual Assault Conviction Despite DNA Testimony Challenge

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed a first-degree sexual assault conviction despite the defendant's argument that admission of DNA testimony from a lab supervisor who did not perform the testing violated his Confrontation Clause rights. The court ruled the constitutional issue was not properly preserved for appeal, declining to apply the narrow exception for novel rules of law following Smith v. Arizona.

rilawyersweekly.comJUN 23, 2026
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