Minutes 6-2-26

MINUTES OF THE OPEN SESSION

OF THE RHODE ISLAND ETHICS COMMISSION

June 2, 2026

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission held its 8^th 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 Tuesday, June 2, 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 N. Browner, Jr. Hugo L. Ricci, Jr.

The following Commissioner was not present: 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 and Kevin Santurri.

The first order of business was:

Approval of minutes of the Open Session held on May 5, 2026.

Upon motion made by Commissioner Rabideau and duly seconded by Commissioner Callahan, it was unanimously

VOTED: To approve the minutes of the Open Session held on May 5, 2026.

The next order of business was:

Director’s Report: Status report and updates.

Complaints and investigations pending

There are two complaints pending, both of which will be considered today. Executive Director Gramitt informed that the Commission will finalize the decision and order in the Thorsen case, and it will initially determine the complaint filed against K. Joseph Shekarchi.
Advisory opinions pending

There are eight advisory opinions pending, three of which have been noticed for today’s meeting.
Access to Public Records Act requests since last meeting

There were nine APRA requests received since the last meeting, eight of which were granted within one business day and one that required six days given that it sought approximately 250 financial disclosure statements. Executive Director Gramitt informed that six requests related to complaint matters, one related to advisory opinions, one related to recusal forms, and one related to financial disclosure statements.
Financial disclosure

As of today, the compliance rate is 94% with approximately 200 non-filers remaining. Executive Director Gramitt informed that the Commission investigators have reached out to municipal clerks, staff in state offices, charter school administrators, and fire district administrators to remind their non-filers to file. Executive Director Gramitt stated that the staff expects to receive an additional 500 financial disclosure statements in July from candidates who file their official declarations of candidacy at the end of June.
General office administration

The Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2026.

The next order of business was:

Advisory Opinions.

The advisory opinions were based on draft advisory opinions prepared by Commission Staff for review by the Commission and were scheduled as items on the Open Session Agenda for this date.

The first advisory opinion was that of:

Donna Wilson, who was recently conditionally appointed to the Bristol Housing Authority pending the receipt of a favorable advisory opinion, and who in her private capacity works as the executive director of the Benjamin Church Senior Center, requests an advisory opinion regarding whether she is prohibited by the Code of Ethics from becoming a member of the housing authority and from then serving simultaneously in both positions.

Staff Attorney Radiches presented the Commission Staff recommendation. The Petitioner was not present. Amy Goins, Esq., Assistant Solicitor for the Town of Bristol, was present. Staff Attorney Radiches noted a correction on page three of the draft opinion to the word “seeking” which should read “seek.” Upon motion made by Commissioner Peterson and duly seconded by Commissioner Susi, it was unanimously

VOTED: To issue an advisory opinion to Donna Wilson, who was recently conditionally appointed to the Bristol Housing Authority.

The next advisory opinion was that of:

A. Ralph Mollis, the town manager for the Town of North Kingstown, requests an advisory opinion regarding whether the Code of Ethics prohibits his grandson’s summer employment in the town’s summer camp program.

Commissioner Callahan recused from the Commission’s consideration of the matter and left the dais. Commissioner Ricci disclosed that he is acquainted with the Petitioner from the latter’s past service as mayor of North Providence but has no conflict. Staff Attorney Radiches presented the Commission Staff recommendation. Upon motion made by Commissioner Browner and duly seconded by Commissioner Rabideau, it was unanimously

VOTED: To issue an advisory opinion to A. Ralph Mollis, the town manager for the Town of North Kingstown.

The final advisory opinion was that of:

J. Clement Cicilline, M.S., a member of the Newport Canvassing Authority, requests an advisory opinion regarding whether he is prohibited by the Code of Ethics from serving in his private capacity as a member of a host committee that would conduct fundraising activities on behalf of, and organize a reception in honor of, a congressional candidate.

Staff Attorney Popova Papa presented the Commission Staff recommendation. The Petitioner was not present. Staff Attorney Popova Papa informed that the Petitioner had stated that he would try to attend this meeting but had another obligation that might impede his attendance. She explained that she had left two voicemail messages for him but received no call back regarding his attendance today. In response to Chair Jones, Staff Attorney Popova Papa informed that the Petitioner had expressed some freedom-of-speech concerns with the restrictions imposed on him in the draft opinion and that the subject reception will take place sometime in June, prior to the Commission’s next meeting.

In response to Commissioner Callahan, Staff Attorney Popova Papa stated that the Code of Ethics does not prohibit the constitutional right of a subordinate to contribute to a given campaign, but the superior may not solicit campaign contributions from a subordinate. In response to Commissioner Cenerini, Staff Attorney Popova Papa informed that the Petitioner would be prohibited from certifying signatures on the congressman’s nomination papers in the congressional election because the Petitioner’s solicitation of funds on behalf of the congressman would create a business associate relationship between them. Commissioner Peterson clarified that the Petitioner is not prohibited from being on the host committee but would be prohibited from participating in the activities described in the draft if he engages in soliciting campaign funds for the congressman. Staff Attorney Popova Papa confirmed Commissioner Peterson’s understanding and added that the Petitioner’s participation as a member of the host committee would include his name appearing on flyers as a host.

Commissioner Ricci expressed concern with the appearance of impropriety if the Petitioner, a member of the Canvassing Authority that will certify the campaign papers, is permitted to openly and actively support the congressman. Commissioner Rabideau informed that he served previously on the Burrillville Board of Canvassers and explained that if a board member became a campaign manager for a specific candidate, that board member was required to recuse from certifying the signatures for that candidate and anyone else running for that position. Chair Jones stated that the Commission previously decided in the matter of Anastacia Williams that it would be inappropriate to prohibit conduct based solely on an appearance of impropriety given that it would not be able to take action to enforce such prohibition. In response to Chair Jones, Staff Attorney Popova Papa informed that the prohibited activities set forth in the draft would apply to the Petitioner in any primary and/or election involving Congressman Amo. Chair Jones inquired of Commissioner Rabideau as to other duties and roles of a board of canvassers. Commissioner Rabideau responded that the board is responsible for running the election in town and its members provide assistance at the polls. Legal Counsel DeSimone noted that boards of canvassers also count mail ballots. Commissioner Rabideau stated that the Petitioner would be required to recuse from counting any mail ballots. Upon motion made by Commissioner Callahan and duly seconded by Commissioner Rabideau, it was

VOTED: To issue an advisory opinion to J. Clement Cicilline, M.S., a member of the Newport Canvassing Authority.

AYES: Lauren E. Jones; Michael N. Browner, Jr.; Christopher P. Callahan; Frank J. Cenerini; Emma L. Peterson; Scott P. Rabideau; and Holly J. Susi.

NOES: Hugo L. Ricci, Jr.

At 10:03 a.m., upon motion made by Commissioner Callahan and duly seconded by Commissioner Peterson, it was unanimously

VOTED: To go into Executive Session, to wit:

Motion to approve minutes of Executive Session held on May 5, 2026, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-5(a)(2) & (4).
In re: K. Joseph Shekarchi, Complaint No. 2026-1, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-5(a)(2) & (4).

Review of proposed decision and order in In re: James E. Thorsen, Complaint

No. 2023-7, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-5(a)(2) & (4).

d.) Motion to return to Open Session.

At 11:41 a.m., the Commission reconvened in Open Session.

The next order of business was:

Motion to seal minutes of June 2, 2026, Executive Session.

Upon motion made by Commissioner Ricci and duly seconded by Commissioner Browner, it was unanimously

VOTED: To seal the minutes of Executive Session held on June 2, 2026.

The next order of business was:

Report on actions taken in Executive Session.

Chair Jones reported that the Commission took the following actions in Executive

Session:

Unanimously voted (8-0) to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on May 5, 2026.
Voted (6-1) in the matter of In re: K. Joseph Shekarchi, Complaint. No. 2026-1, to initially determine that the Complaint states facts that, if true, are sufficient to constitute violations of the Code of Ethics and to authorize an investigation.

[Reporter’s Note: The vote was as follows:

AYES: Michael N. Browner, Jr.; Christopher P. Callahan; Emma L. Peterson; Scott P. Rabideau; Hugo L. Ricci, Jr.; and Holly J. Susi.

NOES: Frank J. Cenerini.

RECUSALS: Lauren E. Jones.*

*Chair Jones left the hearing room.]

An Initial Determination is a preliminary vote that should not be construed as an opinion regarding the truth of the facts alleged in the complaint but is merely a vote to conduct an investigation into the allegations raised.

Reviewed proposed decision and order in In re: James E. Thorsen, Complaint No. 2023-7. No action was taken in Executive Session.

Unanimously voted (8-0) to return to Open Session.

The next order of business was:

Vote to approve proposed decision and order in: In re: James E. Thorsen, Complaint No. 2023-7.

Upon motion made by Commissioner Susi and duly seconded by Commissioner Browner, it was unanimously

VOTED: To approve the proposed decision and order in the matter of In re: James E. Thorsen, Complaint No. 2023-7.

Chair Jones announced that this is Commissioner Rabideau’s last meeting as a member of the Ethics Commission and that he will be joining the CRMC effective immediately. Chair Jones expressed his pleasure at serving with Commissioner Rabideau and stated that he has contributed a great deal of knowledge of local politics and zoning and other application type work which has been extremely helpful to all members of the Commission. On behalf of all the members, Chair Jones wished Commissioner Rabideau well in his future endeavors.

The next order of business was:

New Business proposed for future Commission agendas and

general comments from the Commission.

There were none.

At 11:48 a.m., upon motion made by Commissioner Callahan and duly seconded by Commissioner Browner, it was unanimously

VOTED: To adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________________

Emma L. Peterson

Secretary