Minutes 4-8-26
MINUTES OF THE OPEN SESSION
OF THE RHODE ISLAND ETHICS COMMISSION
April 8, 2026
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission held its 5th meeting of 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at the Rhode Island Ethics Commission conference room, located at 40 Fountain Street, 8th Floor, Providence, Rhode Island, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, pursuant to the notice published at the Commission offices, the State House Library, and electronically with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
The following Commissioners were present:
Lauren E. Jones, Chair Christopher P. Callahan
Holly J. Susi, Vice Chair Frank J. Cenerini
Emma L. Peterson, Secretary Scott P. Rabideau
Dr. Michael Browner, Jr.
The following Commissioners were not present: Hugo L. Ricci, Jr., and Matthew D. Strauss.
Also present were Herbert F. DeSimone, Jr., Commission Legal Counsel; Jason Gramitt, Commission Executive Director; Katherine D’Arezzo, Senior Staff Attorney; Lynne M. Radiches, Staff Attorney/Education Coordinator; Staff Attorneys Teresa Giusti and Teodora Popova Papa; and Commission Investigators Peter J. Mancini, Gary V. Petrarca, and Kevin Santurri.
At 9:02 a.m., the Chair opened the meeting.
The first order of business was:
Closing arguments in In re: James E. Thorsen, Complaint No. 2023-7.
Closing arguments in the adjudication were stenographically recorded, and a transcript of the proceeding will be available at the Commission’s office. Chair Jones informed that the Commission convened today’s proceeding as a special meeting to continue the adjudication that began on March 17, 2026. He further informed that after closing arguments, the Commission will deliberate in executive session with Legal Counsel DeSimone present. Chair Jones stated that upon reconvening in open session, the Commission will engage in decision-making and vote on three separate counts as to whether the Prosecution has met its burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent violated the Code of Ethics and the State Procurement statute. Legal Counsel DeSimone informed that the Respondent’s attorneys will present their closing arguments first followed by the Prosecution.
Attorney Fred A. Kelly, Jr., presented closing arguments on behalf of the Respondent. At the conclusion of Attorney Kelly’s closing arguments, Chief Prosecutor Jason Gramitt presented closing arguments on behalf of the People of the State of Rhode Island.
At 10:01 a.m., upon motion made by Commissioner Rabideau and duly seconded by Commissioner Peterson, it was unanimously
VOTED: To go into Executive Session, to wit:
a.) In re: James E. Thorsen, Complaint No. 2023-7, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-5(a)(2) & (4) for deliberations pursuant to § 36-14-13(8) & (9).
b.) Motion to return to Open Session.
At 12:29 p.m., the Commission reconvened in Open Session.
The next order of business was:
Report on actions taken in Executive Session.
Chair Jones informed that the Commission deliberated in Executive Session and then unanimously voted to return to Open Session. He further informed that the Commission did not make any decisions or take any votes with respect to the Thorsen adjudication.
Discussion and Decision/Vote in the matter of
In re: James E. Thorsen, Complaint No. 2023-7.
After each of the following motions was made and seconded, the Commissioners engaged in brief discussion and expressed their individual comments. Upon motion made by Commissioner Susi and duly seconded by Commissioner Callahan, it was
VOTED: To find that the Prosecution has established by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent, James E. Thorsen, while Director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration committed a knowing and willful violation of Commission Regulation 520-RICR-00-00-1.4.2 of the Rhode Island Code of Ethics by receiving a gift on March 10, 2023, having a fair market value in excess of $25.00 from Scout, Ltd., a business that had a direct interest in decisions that the Respondent was either authorized to make or to participate in the making of as part of his official duties.
AYES: Michael Browner, Jr., and Holly J. Susi.
NOES: Lauren E. Jones; Christopher P. Callahan; Frank J. Cenerini; Emma L. Peterson; and Scott P. Rabideau.
Legal Counsel DeSimone informed that this count is hereby dismissed.
Upon motion made by Commissioner Callahan and duly seconded by Commissioner Susi, it was
VOTED: To find that the Prosecution has established by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent, James E. Thorsen, while Director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration committed a knowing and willful violation of Rhode Island General Laws § 36-14-5(d) of the Rhode Island Code of Ethics by using his public office to obtain a financial gain other than that provided by law for himself in the form of a free private lunch at a restaurant on March 10, 2023.
AYES: None.
NOES: Lauren E. Jones; Michael Browner, Jr.; Christopher P. Callahan; Frank J. Cenerini; Emma L. Peterson; Scott P. Rabideau; and Holly J. Susi.
Legal Counsel DeSimone stated that this count also is dismissed.
Upon motion made by Commissioner Cenerini and duly seconded by Commissioner Rabideau, it was
VOTED: To find that the Prosecution has established by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent, James E. Thorsen, while Director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration and a procurement official for the Department of Administration committed a knowing and willful violation of Rhode Island General Laws § 36-14.1-2(b) by accepting free goods or services in the form of a private lunch on March 10, 2023, valued at over $100.00 for his personal use from Scout, Ltd., a state vendor who had sold services to the Rhode Island Department of Administration and its Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance during the preceding 24 months and who the Respondent had reason to know would be making a proposal for the sale of services to the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance and the Department of Administration through the execution of a master agreement within the succeeding 24 months.
AYES: None.
NOES: Lauren E. Jones; Michael Browner, Jr.; Christopher P. Callahan; Frank J. Cenerini; Emma L. Peterson; Scott P. Rabideau; and Holly J. Susi.
Legal Counsel DeSimone informed that this count also is dismissed.
Chair Jones expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Commission to the attorneys for both parties for the presentation and handling of their cases in the first adjudication conducted by the current complement of Commissioners.
Upon motion made by Commissioner Rabideau and duly seconded by Commissioner Susi, it was unanimously
VOTED: To adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
Emma L. Peterson
Secretary