Raimondo’s Friday News Dump - Names Former Chief of Staff to Court, Unveils Mass Resignations

Raimondo’s Friday News Dump - Names Former Chief of Staff to Court, Unveils Mass Resignations

In a Friday afternoon news dump, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced that she is nominating former top aide and sometimes acting Chief of Staff David Cruise to a seat on the Rhode Island Superior Court.

Raimondo’s office said, "I am writing to share that several members of the Governor’s cabinet and senior staff will be leaving their positions."

Besides Brett Smiley’s resignation -- already announced earlier in the week -- Director of the Department of Labor and Training Scott Jensen is resigning too.

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In addition, in the last minute resignations and the appointment of Cruise, a former State Senator and presently a state house lobbyist, she announced she is appointing:

- Krystle Guillory Tadesse to Chair the Judicial Nominating Commission
- Jina Petrarca to the Judicial Nominating Commission
- Christian Capizzo to the Judicial Nominating Commission

In addition, Raimondo’s office formally announced the exit of Nell Abernathy, Kevin Gallagher, and Michael Prescott of her staff.

It had previously been reported Raimondo staffer Steve Kavanagh had moved to Speaker Joe Shekarchi’s office in the House and Nicole Verdi is leaving to join Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.

"Today is Nell and Kevin’s last day in the Governor’s Office. Michael and Nicole, as well as Directors Jensen and Smiley, will be transitioning out over the coming weeks," said her office in a statement.