Official State of Rhode Island website

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State of Rhode Island, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha ,

Press Releases

Attorney General Neronha announces additional million dollar settlement with three major oil and gas companies over MTBE contamination; litigation against others continues

Rhode Island’s combined recoveries from settlements as part of Rhode Island’s ongoing MTBE litigation total more than $18.8 million PROVIDENCE, RI – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that his office has resolved Rhode Island’s lawsuit against three of the nation’s largest refiners of gasoline. The State’s case, filed in September 2016, alleged that Chevron, Irving, and Valero – along with several other refiners – caused pollution of Rhode Island’s soil and groundwater with the gasoline additive methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). ...

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Attorney General Neronha issues statement on enforcement of Immediate Compliance Order at Johnson's Pond against Soscia Holdings

“Johnson’s Pond is an important community and state resource, and it is imperative that its water is held at reasonable levels in accordance with state law,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “As alleged by the Department of Environmental Management, the unchecked outflow of water from the pond by Soscia Holdings is not only a detriment to the pond and those who enjoy it, but not in compliance with a recently passed state law intended to protect water levels of dams and reservoirs. The Office will continue to work with DEM to enforce the Immediate Compliance Order against Soscia Holdings to ensure the proper restoration.” ...

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Massachusetts men sentenced to state prison for possessing ghost gun and drug and firearms offenses

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that two Massachusetts men were sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to each serve three years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) after pleading to possessing a ghost gun and drug and firearms charges following their arrests by the Rhode Island State Police (RISP) Violent Fugitive Task Force (VFTF) in 2021. ...

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Final Report of the Statewide Grand Jury (Reported August 1, 2022)

​​​​​​​An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Shamik Steele (age 30) Newport, R.I. N1-2022-0227A On August 1, 2022, the Statewide Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Shamik Steele with one count of murder; one count of discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, resulting in death; one count of conspiracy to commit murder; one count of assault with a dangerous weapon; one count of conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon; one count of discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, resulting in injury; and one count of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. ...

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Providence man sentenced to serve 14 years in state prison for role in May 2021 shootout in Providence that wounded nine

​​​​​​​Defendant also convicted of possessing a ghost gun PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Providence man was sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 14 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) after pleading to multiple felony charges stemming from his role in a May 2021 gang-related shooting that wounded nine people on Carolina Avenue in Providence, and for possessing a ghost gun in a separate incident. ...

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North Kingstown man convicted of 3D printing ghost guns

​​​​​​​PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a North Kingstown man was convicted in Washington County Superior Court of multiple counts of manufacturing ghost guns following an investigation by the North Kingstown Police Department that began in May 2021. ...

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Attorney General Neronha takes action to protect consumers from Rhode Island contractor

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced the Office has taken action against Michael Bresette, a Rhode Island contractor, and his companies, BTTR LLC, HAM Inc., alleging that he engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices targeted at Rhode Island consumers. The Attorney General is also asking Rhode Islanders to contact us if they think they have been of the victim of unfair or deceptive practices by Mr. Bresette or any of his companies. ...

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