State of Justice: June 2026 Ethics Update

Rhode Island 

Shekarchi’s Supreme Court bid faces Ethics Commission review 

After scandals in the 1980s and 90s, Rhode Island enacted a revolving door law that requires lawmakers to be out of state government for a year before taking another post. In 2020, the commission didn’t stop Senate Judiciary Chairwoman Erin Lynch Prata from moving to the Supreme Court, claiming the court was exempt as a constitutional office—though commission staff disagreed. Now, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission has voted 6-1 to investigate whether ex-House Speaker Joe Shekarchi’s attempt to join the state supreme court violates the revolving door law. The complaint was filed by Michael Yelnosky, a law professor and former dean at Roger Williams University School of Law. Shekarchi seeks to fill the court vacancy following Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg’s retirement. The case is unique because there appear to be no disputed facts, only interpretations of statutes and laws, and a quick review is expected. Meanwhile, the Judicial Nominating Commission must submit 3-5 candidates to the governor by August 4, who has 21 days to choose a nominee, pending approval from the General Assembly.