RI Takes Enforcement Action Against Three Real Estate Brokers

RI Takes Enforcement Action Against Three Real Estate Brokers

The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) recently took action regarding three licensed real estate brokers in the state.

As of May 2023, DBR reported there were 9,972 active brokers and salespersons registered in the state.

This month, DBR’s Division of Commercial Licensing signed consent agreements with the three brokers after the department “initiated complaints” into allegations of violations of state law.  All three real estate brokers signed the consent agreements with the state.

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Enforcement actions by the state against licensed brokers and salespeople are rare.

It marked DBR's first real estate enforcement action since 2024, when three other real estate professionals entered into consent agreements.

Between 2020 and 2023, DBR executed consent agreements to address violations with a total of three licensed real estate professionals. 

DBR states in the consent agreements executed this month that if any of the brokers fail to comply with any term or condition of the consent agreements, they “will be in violation…and the Department shall be entitled to immediately to take enforcement or other action in accordance with applicable law, including, but not limited to: revocation, suspension, and/or any such additional administrative penalties that the Department deems appropriate.”

 

Broker-Salesperson 

In the consent agreement with licensed real estate broker Joseph Fitzpatrick [RES.0019890], DBR says the Department “initiated a complaint that [Fitzpatrick] was “engaged in acting as a broker, conducting real estate activity in the State of Rhode Island in violation of R.I. Gen. Laws 5-20.5-1 (5) while licensed as a salesperson.”

“[Fitzpatrick] represented himself as the broker/owner of Re/Max Results in violation of R.I. Gen. Laws 5-20.5-14(1) and 5-20.5-14(4),” wrote DBR.

“[Fitzpatrick] was also identified as managing partner and shareholder of Achieved Results LLC. The purpose of the company was to own and operate a real estate franchise company and activities incidental thereto, being RE/Max Results in violation of R.I. Gen Law 5-20.5-27,” DBR continued. 

According to DBR, Fitzpatrick admitted that the allegations were true, and agreed to take all necessary action to correct the error in order to maintain his license in good standing. 

“In an effort to effect a timely and amicable resolution of the concerns raised in this Consent Agreement, [Fitzpatrick] agrees to pay an administrative penalty in the amount of one thousand ($1000) dollars, payable to the ‘General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island,’ upon the execution of this document,” wrote DBR. 

 

Representation Violations

DBR says that it also initiated a complaint that licensed real estate broker Tyler Bernadyn [RES.0019892] “engaged in acting as a broker, conducting real estate activity in the State of Rhode Island in violation of R.I. Gen. Laws while licensed as a salesperson…and represented himself as the broker/owner of Re/Max Results in violation of R.I. Gen. Laws.”

“[Bernadyn] was also identified as a shareholder of Achieved Results LLC. The purpose of the company was to own and operate a real estate franchise company and activities incidental thereto, being RE/Max Results in violation of R.I. Gen Law,” DBR continued. 

Bernadyn admitted to the allegations and agreed to pay $1,000 in administrative penalties for the “timely and amicable resolution” of the concerns. 

 

Advertising in Focus

DBR said that on April 23, 2025,  it “initiated a complaint that licensed real estate broker Justine Tarlton [RES.0019593] allowed inaccurate internet advertising to be posted having not reviewed and corrected the inaccuracies of the advertising in violation of R.I. Gen. Law 5-20.5-14(1).”

“[Tarlton] failed to correct misrepresentations made by salespersons licensees under her supervision, whom, held themselves out as broker/owners of Re/Max Results in internet advertising in violation of R.I. Gen. Law 5-20.5-14(4),” DBR continued.

DBR wrote, “[Tarlton] was also identified as a shareholder of Achieved Results LLC.  The purpose of the company was to own and operate a real estate franchise company and activities incidental thereto, being RE/Max Results, in violation of R.I Gen. Law 5-20.5- 27.” 

Tarlton admitted the allegations were true and agreed to pay $1,000. 

 

Two Provided Comment

In an email to GoLocal, Tarlton wrote, "As the Principal Broker of RE/MAX Results, my partners and I take full responsibility for the misunderstanding and have taken all necessary steps to ensure our brokerage is now in full compliance. We acknowledge the concerns that were raised and sincerely regret the missteps that have brought us to this point."

"We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in our industry, and we will continue working to regain the trust and confidence of our clients, partners, and community," she added.

Bernadyn, Real Estate Broker & Co-Owner, RE/MAX Results Rhode Island who also signed a consent agreement with the state, said in a statement to GoLocal, “As a licensed real estate broker and co-owner of RE/MAX Results, I take pride in upholding the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism. This complaint stems from a simple logistical misunderstanding that has already been addressed and rectified in accordance with all state requirements. This is now a moot point. As a member of the Board of Directors for the Newport County Board of Realtors, aligning with best practices and serving with transparency has always been a guiding principle. I remain focused on providing honest, quality representation to those I have the privilege of serving.” 

Fitzpatrick did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.