Former U.S. Attorney Cunha Tapped for $600 an Hour to Assist in Washington Bridge Hearing

Former U.S. Attorney Cunha Tapped for $600 an Hour to Assist in Washington Bridge Hearing

Legislative leaders announce that former U.S. Attorney Zach Cunha has been "retained" to assist with the third oversight hearing reviewing the failed Washington Bridge.

Speaker Joe Shekarchi's office refused to provide a copy of the agreement between legislative leaders and Cunha. They claimed it is not finalized. After repeated questions, they told GoLocal that Cunha would be paid $600 an hour. But continued to refuse to provide a copy of the agreement. Cunha did not respond to questions.

The first two hearings were ridiculed for their lack of preparation and effectiveness. Witnesses were not sworn in, the legislature failed to engage independent counsel, and no reports were filed.

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The legislature claims it is getting serious this time.

Shekarchi and Senate President Val Lawson announced that  Cunha will assist the legislature in conducting this hearing. Cunha, now in private practice, was the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island from 2021 to 2025. Cunha joined the firm Nixon Peabody in March. 

Prior to Cunha joining the firm, Nixon Peabody made big headlines for representing then-former President Donald Trump.

“A career public servant, Attorney Cunha’s vast experience will enhance the conduct of a fair and robust inquiry by our oversight committees without unnecessary impact on the state’s ongoing lawsuit related to the Washington Bridge,” said Shekarchi and Lawson. “He has consistently demonstrated impartiality, integrity, and a high degree of skill across the legal landscape while serving as U.S. Attorney.” Cunha was appointed U.S. Attorney by then-President Joe Biden.

The legislature claims that Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, also a former U.S. Attorney, has publicly stated that Rhode Island Department of Transportation employees may respond to questions from the joint committees despite the state’s lawsuit against former contractors. As previously noted, the hearing is expected to be conducted after an administration of an oath to the witnesses.

“The people of Rhode Island deserve transparency and accountability, and I support Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Lawson in their mission here,” Attorney General Neronha said earlier this month. “Though my office seeks to hold accountable several contractor companies for what we allege was negligent behavior, that doesn’t mean those in state leadership charged with maintaining our roads and bridges get a free pass. We must know the full truth, and these hearings can absolutely provide helpful insight.”

The hearing is scheduled for November 13.

 

The meeting will be televised live by Capitol Television, which can be seen on Cox channel 61, on i3Broadband channel 15, and on Verizon channel 34. It will be live-streamed at CapitolTV.cablecast.tv.