NEW: Wyatt Detention Center Board Chair Molina Flynn Resigns

NEW: Wyatt Detention Center Board Chair Molina Flynn Resigns

In yet another twist in the chaotic battle over the Wyatt Detention Center, Joseph Molina Flynn has resigned as chair of the board.

In a letter to Central Falls Mayor James Diossa, Flynn writes:

It is with regret that I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign my position as Chairman and Member of the Central Falls Detention Facility (Wyatt Detention Facility) Board of Directors effective immediately.

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Al the time I accepted the appointment, I did not realize how significant the time commitment will be and I have a full-time legal practice I need to run and dedicate my time to as the only attorney at the firm. For that reason, I feel it is best for me to make room for someone with adequate time and energy to devote.

I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the Central Falls Wyatt Detention Facility, and I have no doubt the board will continue to function successfully in the future.

Flynn who is a leading immigration lawyer, heads the RI Latinx PAC, and is a contributor to GoLocalProv, was appointed about a month ago.

Since his appointment, the attorney for the bondholders of the facility has sued the Wyatt Board, Diossa and Molina Flynn personally.

The war of words took a dramatic turn two weeks ago as the bondholders for Wyatt filed a federal lawsuit seeking to shift the prison’s management from the board, who is appointed by Diossa, to a federally appointed receiver. In addition, the suit seeks to place a temporary restraining order against Diossa’s board from interfering in the management of the facility.

$130 Million Showdown

The eleven-count lawsuit seeks $130 million in damages. "As to Counts VI (Tortious Interference with Indenture), VII (Tortious Interference with Mortgage), and VIII (Tortious Interference with USMS Contract), award the Trustee damages in any amount to be determined at trial, but no less than $130 million dollars and, consistent with the temporary restraining order request, enjoin the City, the Mayor, and the City Council from further interference with the Indenture, USMS Contract, and Mortgage," the lawsuit seeks.

“UMB Bank, N.A., as successor indenture trustee for those certain Detention Facility Revenue Refunding Bonds described more fully below (the “Trustee”), files this petition for the immediate appointment of a receiver and the grant of a temporary restraining order to protect against the immediate and irreparable harm to the assets of the Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation  and complaint against the Corporation, City of Central Falls, Mayor James A. Diossa, City Councilors Jonathan Acosta, Hugo Figueroa, Jessica Vega and Franklin Solano, Corporation Directors Wilder Arborelda, Gary Berdugo, Joseph Molina Flynn, and Herman Yip," states the lawsuit.