Lawyer for Bondholders of Wyatt Says Mayor Is “Reckless” and “Endangering” Detainees & Staff

Lawyer for Bondholders of Wyatt Says Mayor Is “Reckless” and “Endangering” Detainees & Staff

Boston attorney Adrienne K. Walker, who is representing the bondholders for the Wyatt Detention Center, is claiming that Central Falls officials -- specifically Mayor James Diossa and City Attorney Matt Jerzyk -- have acted recklessly and put people at risk.

In the letter sent to Diosso and Jerzyk -- with Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo and others cc'd -- Walker wrote, "Your actions to incite demonstrations at the Wyatt is reckless and directly threatens the safety of the detainees and the Corporation’s dedicated employees.”

Walker charges that Diossa’s actions were intentional and put both staff and detainees at risk.

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“Trustee takes no position with the Mayor, or any person, expressing their political views with respect to the federal government’s immigration practices.  Rather, it is the Mayor’s intentional interference with the Corporation’s business operations and contractual relationships that raise significant legal issues and exposure for the Mayor, the City and State," wrote Walker. 

"Also, the protests led by the Mayor in front of the Wyatt on March 28th and again on March 30th, including protestors shouting 'We see you!' and 'We are here for you!' -- inciting hundreds of detainees to react (the overwhelming majority of which are not ICE detainees) -- negligently put the staff and detainees at the Wyatt at risk of danger and immediate harm,” wrote Walker.

Walker’s client is UMB Bank, the Trustee for the bonds — originally issued in 2005 in the amount of $106,380,000.

The letter went on that “The purpose of this letter is to clarify several intentionally factual misstatements you have made to the public, outline several of the causes of action that may be brought against you and the City, and demand you cease from any further interference with the Corporation’s business operations.”

Central Falls Responds

Jeryk fired right back at Walker. He told GoLocal in a statement, “The city has, and will continue to, exercise all of its rights and responsibilities pursuant to city and state law. Reckless is a good word to describe the multiple violations of the Open Meetings Act that the City has alleged in a complaint to the Attorney General.”

The war of words began last week as Diossa criticized the operation of the prison and the behavior of the five-member Board — the Board that the Mayor appointed.

Walker who is at Mintz Levin refused to answer questions about her letter. “I don’t speak to the press,” said Walker. Her bio says she "is a restructuring and commercial finance attorney with significant bankruptcy litigation experience and deep capabilities advancing creditors' rights and representing debt holders in Chapter 11 and Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcies.

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This story was first published 4/2/19 7:49 PM