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.  Noting the article today in the Providence Journal, Wallin stated, "It is clear that this investigation is ongoing by the Rhode Island State Police for the corruption perpetrated on not only the people of Central Falls but all Rhode Islanders and businesses.  What I still do not understand is why after almost three months since my initial call for this or a year since this first came to light in the media, Attorney General Lynch has taken no clear action on this matter."  Wallin noted that his original call for either the appointment of a special prosecutor or the involvement of the U.S. Attorney was on January 27th of this year.

Wallin continued, "While today's article reveals much more of the details of what was occurring and the specifics about what was being charged to board up a house, the underlying public corruption reported is the same that we knew about over a year ago, and is the same that Attorney General Lynch said on the Lively Experiment with Arlene Violet months ago that he would take no action.  And as far as I know, there it has stood."  Wallin added, "Attorney General Lynch owes it to the people of Rhode Island to inform them of what will occur in terms of an investigation.  While the Rhode Island State Police have launched and are continuing to investigate, who will prosecute is a question that has not been answered."

Wallin noted that these actions by Mayor Moreau's longtime friend of severely over-charging for boarding up foreclosed homes under so-called "emergency powers" of Mayor Moreau was first reported by reporter Bill Rappleye in the beginning of 2009.  "Attorney General Lynch was put on notice over a year ago about what was occurring," Wallin stated, "but Attorney General Lynch took no action and therefore Mayor Moreau's friend reaped millions at the expense of the people of Central Falls, the people of Rhode Island and both national and local businesses.  Clearly, this was an attempt to take advantage of the mortgage crisis thinking that the big banks would just pay these outrageous liens no questions asked."

Wallin reiterated that as Attorney General, he will have a Public Corruption Task Force staffed with seasoned prosecutors who will have primary responsibility for proactively and aggressively investigating and prosecuting cases of public corruption.  Noting that the people of Central Falls and others impacted by the public corruption in Central Falls did not call the Attorney General's Office because they believed no action would be taken due to Mayor Moreau's close friendship with Attorney General Lynch, Wallin stated that "under my administration, anyone who betrays the public trust will be investigated by my office, be it a republican, democrat, independent or moderate party member."  Wallin will create a 24-hour Corruption Tip-line to the Department of Attorney General so that the public can report claims to the state's highest law enforcement office and not just the media.  "I also make this pledge to Rhode Islanders, at the first sign of any conflict or apparent conflict, I will immediately appoint a special prosecutor who will independently lead the investigation - that way, Rhode Islanders will always know that their interests and rights are being protected, and not just when the target of the investigation is not a personal friend or political supporter of the Attorney General."


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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 Renews Call to Attorney General Lynch to Protect the Constitutional Rights of Rhode Islanders
by Erik Wallin | May 12, 2010 - erikforag.com

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. 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...

920 WHJJ Interview with Helen Glover About Mayor Moreau
April 26, 2010 -
920 WHJJ interview with Helen Glover about the latest scandal involving AG Patrick Lynch and Central Falls Mayor Moreau

630 WPRO Interview with John DePetro About Mayor Moreau
April 26, 2010 -
630 WPRO interview with John DePetro about the latest scandal involving AG Patrick Lynch and Central Falls Mayor Moreau

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...