Attorney General
Democrat

• Date of Birth: 12/17/1963

• 150 South Main St., Providence, RI, 02903
• Office Phone: (401)274-4400
• TTY: 711

• High School: North Kingstown High School, 1981
• College: Boston College, 1985
• Graduate School: Boston College Law School, 1989

• The Office of the Attorney General is the central legal agency of the State. The Office is responsible for the prosecution of all felony criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals as well as the prosecution of misdemeanor cases brought by State law enforcement action in the various district courts. As chief legal officer of the State, the Attorney General also has responsibilities beyond criminal prosecution. The Attorney General represents all agencies, departments, and commissions in litigation and initiates legal action where necessary to protect the interests of Rhode Island citizens. These matters range from gas, electric, and telephone company rates before the Public Utilities Commission; health insurance rate cases; environmental issues; protecting the public's rights under the Open Meetings Act and the Access to Public Records Act; and protecting consumers from deceptive practices and antitrust violations. In addition to providing legal advice to state officers and state agencies whenever requested, the Office of the Attorney General is charged with operating and maintaining the State Bureau of Criminal Identification, which is the central repository of all criminal records in the State.

• Prior Government Offices: United States Attorney, District of Rhode Island (2009-2017)

• The Attorney General is established under the Rhode Island Constitution as one of the five General Officers subject to election by voters. Since its creation in May 1650, the Office of the Attorney General has been an elected position, except for a brief period from 1740 to 1742 when the charter allowed for appointment of a King's attorney for each county. The Office of the Attorney General was formally adopted under the Rhode Island State Constitution in 1842, and is divided into three distinct divisions: Criminal; Civil; and Administration. Each division is responsible for several sub-units, which combine to meet the goals and the objectives of the Office.