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

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181 articles · page 7 of 16
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Retired federal judge urges RI Senate to vote on clergy-abuse statute reform

A retired federal judge and Attorney General Peter Neronha jointly appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to argue SB 2616—extending the statute of limitations for sexual-abuse claims against institutions like the Diocese of Providence—is constitutional and should proceed to a vote. Senate Judiciary Chair Mathew LaMountain introduced a resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the RI Supreme Court on constitutionality. The House has already passed companion legislation overwhelmingly.

bostonglobe.comMAY 30, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Rhode Island Supreme Court Clarifies UM/UIM Coverage Rules for Employees Using Personal Vehicles

The Rhode Island Supreme Court answered certified questions from the First Circuit, ruling that an employee operating her personal vehicle in the scope of employment is not automatically a "named insured" under the employer's auto policy for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. The court rejected arguments that Martinelli v. Travelers or public policy require such coverage when policy language excludes it, affirming that employers can limit UM/UIM coverage based on vehicle ownership.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
rilawyersweekly.comMAY 29, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Federal Judge Orders Release of Brazilian Father Detained While Fishing Off Martha's Vineyard

U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani ordered ICE to release Rogerio da Silva Lima by noon Wednesday, questioning whether immigration authorities had legal authority to detain him more than two years after his removal order became final. Da Silva Lima and his 15-year-old son were detained by the Coast Guard while fishing south of Martha's Vineyard last week, drawing outrage from immigrant advocates and lawmakers. The judge indicated ICE missed the statutory 90-day detention window.

bostonglobe.comMAY 29, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

First Circuit Affirms Money Laundering Convictions in Years-Long Business Account Fraud Scheme

The First Circuit affirmed money laundering conspiracy convictions against Nafis Quaye and Sunna Sepetu, rejecting sufficiency-of-evidence and jury instruction challenges. The court found circumstantial evidence supported the conclusion that defendants had actual knowledge or were willfully blind to the illegal source of funds transferred through business accounts they operated. Sepetu's sentencing challenge was also rejected.

rilawyersweekly.comMAY 29, 2026
JudiciaryCommerceFree press

Rhode Island sues Kalshi and Polymarket over alleged illegal sports gambling

Attorney General Peter Neronha filed a 32-page complaint in Providence County Superior Court alleging that prediction-market operators Kalshi and Polymarket are conducting sports betting while evading state gambling laws. The platforms' sports-related "event contracts" are functionally no different from traditional sports betting, the complaint argues. Kalshi preemptively filed its own federal lawsuit the same day, arguing it is subject only to federal derivatives-trading regulations.

wpri.comMAY 28, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

ACLU settles lawsuit with Pawtucket over 2019 arrest of Black honors student

The ACLU of Rhode Island reached a $5,000 settlement in a lawsuit accusing Pawtucket of violating the constitutional and civil rights of a 13-year-old Black and Native American honors student, identified as T.J., who was handcuffed and jailed after a brief school fight in 2019. The settlement also includes city commitments to revise incident reporting and create an internship opportunity for T.J.

bostonglobe.comMAY 28, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

First Circuit denies Child Advocate's motion to block Rhode Island Hospital subpoena compliance

A First Circuit panel denied the Rhode Island Child Advocate's request for an injunction pending appeal that would have prevented Rhode Island Hospital from turning over medical records responsive to a DOJ subpoena. The court found the Child Advocate had not demonstrated the irreparable harm required for emergency relief. The dispute involves competing orders from district courts in Texas and Rhode Island.

rilawyersweekly.comMAY 28, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

First Circuit denies emergency bid to block Rhode Island Hospital records release to DOJ

A three-judge First Circuit panel unanimously denied an emergency request by Rhode Island's Child Advocate to block Rhode Island Hospital from turning over medical records of minors who received gender-affirming care, records sought by the Justice Department. A Texas federal judge had ordered the hospital to comply, while a Rhode Island federal judge granted the Child Advocate's motion to quash the subpoena, creating conflicting district court rulings.

justthenews.comMAY 28, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Rhode Island Supreme Court to hear case on CACFP termination and res judicata

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed dismissal of a complaint alleging disparate treatment and disparate impact under the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act, brought by plaintiffs terminated from the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The court held that the plaintiffs could have raised their discrimination allegations before an administrative review official but chose not to, and were barred by res judicata.

rilawyersweekly.comMAY 28, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Rebecca Aitchison appointed US magistrate judge for Rhode Island District Court

Rebecca L. Aitchison will assume the US magistrate judge seat in October 2026, replacing Patricia A. Sullivan. Aitchison, currently an assistant federal defender and former RI Public Defender trial lawyer, was announced May 26 by the District Court. Chief Judge McConnell praised her public-service record and commitment to equal justice. She is the daughter of a Brazilian immigrant and proficient in Portuguese and Spanish.

bostonglobe.comMAY 27, 2026
JudiciaryCommercePaywall

AG Neronha sues Kalshi and Polymarket over alleged illegal sports gambling

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha filed suit in Providence County Superior Court May 21, alleging that prediction-market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket conduct unlicensed sports betting via "event contracts." Neronha argues they evade state gambling laws. Kalshi countersued in federal court the same day, claiming exclusive federal jurisdiction under derivatives regulation. The lawsuits mirror disputes in other states over prediction markets.

bostonglobe.comMAY 27, 2026
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