Erik Wallin, Candidate for Attorney General, today renewed his call to Attorney General Lynch to protect the constitutional rights of Rhode Islanders by joining the 20 attorneys general in challenging the constitutionality of the new health care legislation. "Just as I did in March, I again call on Attorney General Lynch to stand up for the rights of Rhode Islanders by joining the lawsuit filed by other states' attorneys general challenging the health care legislation as a violation of the constitutional rights of individuals and the states. We must stand up to one of the largest power-grabs by the federal government," Wallin said.

"There is no question that we need significant reform of our health care system, for example: allowing businesses and individuals to purchase insurance from providers outside Rhode Island thus creating competition; cracking down on insurance fraud; and holding insurance providers feet to the fire in justifying rate increases," commented Wallin. However, pointing out that Rhode Island faces a possible $400 million dollar deficit in fiscal year 2011, Wallin stated, "This health care bill will shift hundreds of millions of dollars in unfunded mandates onto the already breaking backs of Rhode Island taxpayers." He noted that estimates by the state Department of Human Services suggesting that the overall cost to Rhode Island taxpayers would be upwards of $1.5 billion over 10 years. Wallin continued, "While state budget issues, jobs, and tax increase are also of great concern, from the perspective of the Attorney General, protecting our state's constitutional rights must be paramount."

Wallin continued, "Attorney General Lynch seems to believe, without any legal precedent, that health care is a constitutionally protected right and that Rhode Islanders should be forced to purchase it or face a fine. No federal court has ever reached such a conclusion and to assert his personal belief as justification may be fine as a candidate for governor, but not as the current Attorney General. While health care is one of the most important issues facing Americans today any bill passed by Congress must be constitutional."

"The fact that Attorney General Lynch seems to base his decision on his belief that "a suit would waste tax dollars on a political stunt that has no chance of success", is a dereliction of his duty and an affront to Rhode Islanders," Wallin said. Noting that Attorney General Lynch used the same line of reasoning in his comments concerning Treasurer Caprio's idea regarding going after the inurance policies to recover some of the 75 million dollars in fraud, waste and corruption at the State Landfill (Resource Recovery Corporation), for which no one was prosecuted, and the appointment of a special prosecutor or involvement of the U.S. Attorney in the investigation of Central Falls Mayor Moreau. Wallin stated, "Unfortunately, it appears as though if it is in any way difficult, challenging or not in his political interest, Attorney General Lynch won't act."


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Erik Wallin, Candidate for Attorney General, Proposes Anti-Corruption Legislation - The HOPE Act
by Erik Wallin | May 25, 2010 - erikforag.com

Erik Wallin, Candidate for Attorney General, today released his Honest Operation of Public Entities (HOPE) Act as part of his plan to combat political corruption that continues to plague Rhode Island. read more...

Attorney General Candidate Erik Wallin Decries Public Corruption By North Providence Town Councilman
by Erik Wallin | May 06, 2010 - erikforag.com

Erik Wallin, candidate for Attorney General, today decried continuing public corruption in Rhode Island, this time allegedly by three members of the North Providence Town Council. read more...

Attorney General Candidate Erik Wallin Commends U.S. Attorney Involvement in Central Falls Probe
by Erik Wallin | May 04, 2010 - erikforag.com

Attorney General Candidate Erik Wallin today commended the decision by the Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, Colonel Doherty, to involve the U.S. Attorney in the investigation of Central Falls Mayor Moreau. read more...

630 WPRO Interview with John DePetro About Patrick Lynch's Central Falls Scandal
May 04, 2010 -
Erik Wallin appears in-studio with the legendary Jim Hummel (WPRI-TV) to discuss the latest developments in the Patrick Lynch Central Falls scandal.

Longtime ties bind Lynch to probe in Central Falls
by Edward Fitzpatrick | May 03, 2010 - Providence Journal

Deputy Attorney General Gerald J. Coyne sent the state police a letter on Jan. 25, saying Lynch had recused himself. “Decisions regarding the prosecution of matters arising from this review, should such prosecution be warranted, will be made by our criminal division and reviewed only by me,” Coyne wrote. read more...

Wallin Campaign Announces Lammis Vargas Joins Campaign Staff
by Erik Wallin | May 02, 2010 - erikforag.com

Today - Erik Wallin, Candidate for Attorney General today announced the addition of Lammis Vargas to his campaign. read more...

Attorney General Candidate Erik Wallin Renews His Call for the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor or U.S. Attorney Involvement Into the Investigation of Central Falls Mayor Moreau
by Erik Walln | April 25, 2010 - erikforag.com

Attorney General Candidate Erik Wallin today renewed his call for the appointment of a special prosecutor or the involvement of the U.S. Attorney into the ongoing investigation of Central Falls Mayor Charles "Chuck" Moreau. read more...

Wallin Racks up Endorsements for Attorney General
by Erik Wallin | March 28, 2010 - erikforag.com

Rhode Island Attorney General candidate Erik Wallin announced today (March 28, 2010) his endorsement by 15 local Republican Town Committee Chairs and the Rhode Island State GOP Chairmens' Caucus. read more...

Attorney General Candidate Erik Wallin Calls on Attorney General Lynch to Protect the Constitutional Rights of Rhode Islanders
by Erik Wallin | March 24, 2010 - erikforag.com

Erik Wallin, Candidate for Rhode Island Attorney General, today called upon Attorney General Lynch to undertake an immediate review of the $938 billion dollar health care bill signed into law by President Obama. read more...

Attorney General Candidate Erik Wallin Calls for the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor or U.S. Attorney Involvement in Mayor Moreau Investigation
by | January 27, 2010 - erikforag.com

Erik Wallin today called for the immediate appointment of a special prosecutor or for the U.S. Attorney to assume responsibility for overseeing the investigation into recent allegations of corruption involving Central Falls Mayor Charles Moreau. read more...

Attorney General Lynch Again Says 'No" to Investigating Allegations of Public Corruption
by Erik Wallin | January 15, 2010 - ErikForAG.com

Erik Wallin, candidate for Attorney General, today expressed shock and outrage at Attorney General Lynch's apparent refusal to launch an investigation into actions by Mayor Moreau and his longtime friend and campaign contributor, Mike Bouthillette. read more...

Republican Candidate for Attorney General Erik Wallin Receives Endorsement of the Little Compton Republican Town Committee
by | December 08, 2009 - erikforag.com

The Little Compton Republican Town Committee unanimously endorsed Republican candidate for Attorney General, Erik Wallin, becoming the first GOP committee to do so. read more...

Republican Candidate for Attorney General Commends Governor Carcieri for Veto
by Erik Wallin | November 10, 2009 - erikforag.com

Republican candidate for Attorney General, Attorney Erik Wallin, today commended Governor Donald Carcieri for his veto of H-5134, Substitute A, "An Act Relating to Criminal Procedure - Arrest".
read more...

Erik Wallin, Republican Candidate for Attorney General, Calls Upon Governor to Veto Legislation Protecting Criminals and Putting Rhode Islanders in Danger
by Erik Wallin | November 04, 2009 - erikforag.com

Erik Wallin, Republican Candidate for Attorney General, today voiced outrage over a bill passed by the General Assembly, H-5134 SubA, and called upon Governor Carcieri to veto it. read more...

The Cancer That Is Corruption
by Erik Wallin | October 01, 2009 - Warwick Beacon

The cancer that is corruption continues to devour our state. Most recently, the governor’s audit shed light on $75 million of willfully mismanaged taxpayer dollars for insider deals, extravagant bonuses, over-paying and a variety of other corrupt actions. read more...