Shekarchi & Ruggerio Oversight on Washington Bridge - No Outside Expert, Witnesses Will Not Be Sworn
GoLocalProv News Team
Shekarchi & Ruggerio Oversight on Washington Bridge - No Outside Expert, Witnesses Will Not Be Sworn
The hearings will be conducted by the House Committee on Oversight jointly with the Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics, and Oversight on Thursday, February 13.
However, according to Shekarchi and Ruggerio’s offices, the legislature has not hired outside counsel, nor has it hired technical experts to assist the investigation.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFurther, the leadership tells GoLocal witnesses called before the committee will not be sworn in.
Both Shekarchi and Ruggerio have close ties to Alviti and have repeatedly defended his actions relating to his role in the bridge’s failure.
Ruggerio and Alviti worked together for years at the Laborers' International Union.
GoLocal chronicled in a major investigative report the close political ties between the placement of Alviti to the RIDOT Director’s role by Laborers' International.
READ THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT HERE
The House Oversight Committee is chaired by Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick). The Senate Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight Committee is chaired by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick).
“The closing of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge has been a major disruption, especially to the lives of thousands of Rhode Islanders who live or work in the East Bay, and has negatively impacted many businesses. Our Oversight Committees need answers, particularly in addressing concerns about timelines, costs and funding for the demolition and reconstruction projects. The process is moving more slowly than many of us anticipated and expected, and we look forward to learning more details from Director Alviti,” said Serpa and McKenney.
Labor Attorney With Expertise in Student Handbooks and Bullying Will Be Assisting Committee
The attorney assigned to assist the committee in their investigation is a contract attorney to the General Assembly, Caroline R. Thibeault, who graduated from law school less than a decade ago.
According to her law firm’s bio, she is experienced in labor issues, including student handbooks and bullying.
“Caroline’s practice is focused on labor and employment law and education law. She counsels employers on a variety of labor and employment issues including collective bargaining, labor relations, discipline and discharge, wage and hour laws, employee leave and accommodations, and discrimination. She also advises school clients on education law issues including Title IX, student handbooks, bullying, and student discipline. Caroline has practiced in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Larry Berman, spokesperson for Shekarchi, said, “Her law firm [Whelan Corrente & Flanders LLP] has been under contract with the Joint Committee on Legislative Services (JCLS) for three years, handling mainly personnel matters.”
This story was first published 2/6/25 7:08 PM