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

Press Releases

Attorney General warns Rhode Islanders to be vigilant against IRS scams during tax season

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued a warning to Rhode Islanders to remain vigilant against Internal Revenue Service (IRS) imposter scams during the current tax season as state and federal tax deadlines approach during the month of April. The Office of the Attorney General has received multiple reports of phone and email IRS imposter scams that attempt to solicit personal and payment information from individuals. ...

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Attorney General files lawsuits against auto dealerships alleging unfair consumer pricing practices

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that his Office has filed lawsuits against two auto dealerships for allegedly engaging in unfair consumer pricing practices in violation of Rhode Island’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA). In the lawsuits, filed this week in Providence County Superior Court, the Attorney General is seeking a court order to halt further conduct, obtain restitution for consumers where applicable, and impose monetary penalties for violating the DTPA, the state’s principal consumer protection law. ...

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Final Report of the Providence County Grand Jury (Reported March 4, 2022)

An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Santa Mota (age 52) Pawtucket, R.I. P1-2022-0686A On March 4, 2022, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Santa Mota with one count of possession of cocaine over one kilogram, one count of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, and two counts of conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act. The alleged acts occurred in the city of Pawtucket sometime on or about May 12, 2021. The Pawtucket Police Department conducted the investigation. The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on March 30, 2022, in Providence County Superior Court. ...

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Interim Report of the Statewide Grand Jury (Reported February 28, 2022)

An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Mark Santilli (age 60) North Providence, R.I. P1-2022-0682A On February 28, 2022, the Statewide Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Mark Santilli with one count of manslaughter. The alleged act occurred in the town of North Providence sometime on or about October 20, 2021. The North Providence Police Department conducted the investigation. The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on March 23, 2022, in Providence County Superior Court. ...

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Statement from Attorney General Peter F. Neronha on appealing the decision to approve sale of Narragansett Electric

Today, my Office has filed a motion in Rhode Island Superior Court to appeal and stay yesterday’s decision by the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers to approve the sale of Narragansett Electric to Pennsylvania-based PPL. This proposed transaction would have enormous consequences for all Rhode Islanders, and we will continue to advocate to ensure an electric and gas utility that is in the best interests of Rhode Islanders and that complies with Rhode Island law. ...

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Attorney General files lawsuit to halt “Certificate of Good Standing” scheme targeting RI businesses and non-profits

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that his Office has filed a lawsuit against two businesses and an individual, allegedly responsible for perpetrating a deceptive scheme targeting thousands of businesses and non-profits throughout the state, seeking a court order to halt further conduct and monetary penalties for violating Rhode Island’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA). The Office of the Attorney General worked closely with the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office during a months-long investigation into the allegations against the alleged perpetrators. ...

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