Vol. CXXXII · No. XCVSUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026Ocean State Edition

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Judiciary

95 articles · page 5 of 8
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RI Child Advocate Sues to Block DOJ Subpoena for Transgender Care Records

Rhode Island's Office of the Child Advocate filed an emergency motion in US District Court to quash a Department of Justice subpoena demanding detailed medical records of minors receiving gender-affirming care at Rhode Island Hospital. A Texas judge had already granted DOJ's enforcement order without hearing from the hospital. Judge Mary McElroy (D.R.I.) scheduled a May 12 hearing. The child advocate called the subpoena an 'unprecedented intrusion' issued for an 'improper purpose' rather than legitimate law enforcement.

bostonglobe.comMAY 7, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Senator Whitehouse Warns GOP on Sidestepping US Attorney Confirmation

US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Republicans will 'permanently disable' the panel's oversight if they allow the Trump administration to bypass Senate confirmation for US attorneys—including in Rhode Island, where Charles 'Chas' Calenda was kept in place without nomination or hearing. Whitehouse, a former US attorney, predicted Democrats will use the same tactic when back in power, warning, 'Don't come complaining to me.'

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
bostonglobe.comMAY 7, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Federal Judge Denies Early Release for Rhode Island Stolen Valor Convict

A US District Court judge denied a motion for sentence reduction by Sarah Cavanaugh, who was convicted in 2023 of pretending to be a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient and faking illness to collect over $250,000 in donations. She received a 70-month federal sentence and remains scheduled for release in August 2026.

turnto10.comMAY 7, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryPaywall

Rhode Island bill allowing expungement of multiple felonies advances to House floor

Rhode Island lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow up to four non-violent felonies to be expunged from criminal records after a 15-year waiting period following completion of sentences. The bill, already passed by the Senate and sponsored by Sen. Jake Bissaillon, would also permit expungement of multiple misdemeanors. Crimes such as child endangerment, elder abuse, and DUI would remain ineligible. The House Judiciary Committee approved the measure 10-5, with a floor vote scheduled for May 12.

providencejournal.comMAY 6, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Federal judge orders RI Hospital to provide gender-affirming records to DOJ

A Texas federal judge ruled May 1 that Rhode Island Hospital did not fully comply with a Department of Justice subpoena demanding records related to pediatric gender-affirming care. The hospital has 14 days to provide documents sought in a DOJ investigation into prescription drugs for minors with gender dysphoria. Brown University Health, which owns the hospital, is reviewing the ruling and did not comment further.

turnto10.comMAY 4, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Federal judge did not know RI-released man was wanted for murder abroad, court says

US District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose was not informed that Bryan Rafael Gomez faced murder charges in the Dominican Republic when she approved his release on habeas corpus petition, according to court officials. The Department of Homeland Security publicly criticized the judge, but Assistant US Attorney Kevin Bolan admitted in a Friday filing he was instructed by ICE not to disclose the warrant information. A Monday hearing is scheduled to determine if the government should be held in contempt.

bostonglobe.comMAY 2, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Trump administration keeps Calenda as RI federal prosecutor despite expired interim term

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appointed Charles 'Chas' Calenda as 'Special Attorney and First Assistant United States Attorney' for Rhode Island after his 120-day interim US Attorney term expired April 28. Chief Judge John McConnell declined to appoint a replacement to avoid clashing with the administration. Democratic senators had opposed Calenda's original appointment, calling him unqualified, and the move appears to circumvent normal Senate confirmation protocols.

turnto10.comMAY 2, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Federal Court Won't Replace Calenda; Trump Admin Keeps Him in Charge

US District Court for Rhode Island declined to appoint a new interim US attorney after Charles Calenda's 120-day term expired April 28. The Trump administration responded by naming Calenda 'Special Attorney and First Assistant US Attorney,' allowing him to remain atop the office without Senate confirmation. Chief Judge John McConnell cited preserving 'non-political professional operation' in his order, though critics see the move as circumventing Senate consultation.

bostonglobe.comMAY 1, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

North Kingstown Residents Sue State Agencies Over Quonset Sludge Plant

North Kingstown Residents for Clean Air and Water sued the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, RI Commerce, and Quonset Development Corporation in Providence County Superior Court over a proposed $150 million sewage-sludge processing plant at Quonset Business Park. The 23-page complaint alleges state agencies failed to assess health and environmental impacts and denied adequate public notice. Plaintiffs seek to void the air permit and lease, plus compensatory damages.

bostonglobe.comMAY 1, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Providence Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Blocking 'Conjuring House' Sale

Providence County Superior Court Associate Justice Shannon Signore dismissed a lawsuit alleging the house owner lacked mental capacity to sell the Burrillville farmhouse made famous by 'The Conjuring.' The judge found plaintiff Elizabeth Greenhalgh lacked standing to sue on her sister's behalf without legal guardianship. Jason Hawes, holder of a signed deed, remains in position to close the deal, though guardianship petitions in Massachusetts probate court continue.

bostonglobe.comMAY 1, 2026
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
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