R.I. senators vying for leadership posts face potential conflicts of interest

Boston Globe

28-04-2025

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Lawson, an East Providence Democrat, works full-time as president of the
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John M. Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, said, 'If she becomes Senate president, there is a good chance she opens herself up to future complaints if she remains NEARI president because NEARI has so much business before the Legislature and the Senate presidency uniquely controls the agenda and appointments in the chamber.'
In 2019, the state Ethics Commission
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And in 2024, the Ethics Commission
But the circumstances would be different if Lawson is president of both the Senate and NEARI, Marion said.
'Lawson is no longer a classroom teacher or vice president of NEARI,' he said. 'She's president of NEARI, responsible for a very large organization with lots of business before the state Senate. Her duty to lead NEARI at the same time as exercising the vast powers of Senate president create a unique challenge.'
The potential conflicts could involve a wide range of significant issues, including how union contracts are negotiated, and how labor disputes are resolved, he said.
Marion said other legislators might be able to sidestep conflicts of interest by recusing themselves from certain votes and stepping out of the room during any debate. 'But as Senate president, you can't really step out of the room when the final decision needs to be made,' he said, noting the Senate president plays a pivotal role in deciding which bills make it to floor votes and in negotiating with the House and the governor.
Marion said her potential conflicts differ from those of Ciccone and Pearson because she holds the top job at her union while Ciccone is a consultant for a union, and Pearson is a vice president at a bank.
Of course, Lawson could avoid those potential conflicts by stepping down as NEARI president, Marion said. He noted Ruggerio, who was 76, had retired from the New England Laborers' Labor-Management Cooperation Trust when he was leading the Senate. But it remains unclear if Lawson, who is 58, will leave her NEARI post, for which she earns
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Lawson could not immediately be reached for comment.
Ciccone, 77, a Providence Democrat, receives income as a consultant for Local Union 808, as a senator, and as a 'federal firearms dealer,' according to his latest financial disclosure form filed with the Ethics Commission. He previously worked as a field representative for the Rhode Island Laborers' District Council and as business manager of Rhode Island Judicial, Professional, and Technical Employees Local Union 808.​
In 2008,
In 2019, the Ethics Commission issued an advisory opinion, saying the ethics code did not prohibit Ciccone from serving as chairman of the Senate Labor Committee. But the commission said he is prohibited from participating in matters that would directly impact his 'business associate,' Local Union 808.
As majority leader, Ciccone could face potential conflicts as a union consultant and firearms dealer, Marion said. 'But there are tools to deal with that, like recusal,' he said.
Ciccone also has faced criticism for his involvement in a 2012 episode in which Barrington police say
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That issue never came before the Ethics Commission. 'But certainly it was wrong,' Marion said. 'He has a track record of poor decision making.'
Pearson, 36, a Cumberland Democrat, receives income as a senior vice president at Citizens Bank, as a senator, and as a partner in Hanaway Real Estate Holdings, according to his latest financial disclosure form.
In 2020, the Ethics Commission issued an advisory opinion, saying the ethics code did not prohibit Pearson from participating in Senate discussions and voting on the state budget, but he had to recuse himself from discussions or votes on line items or budget amendments that could financially impact Citizens.
In 2024, Pearson
'Pearson would not be immune from navigating ethics concerns if he kept his day job because he works for one of the largest employers in the state,' Marion said.
The potential conflicts facing all three senators 'speaks particularly to the challenges of a part-time Legislature where people don't get paid a living wage and therefore have to have outside employment,' Marion said.
Rank-and file senators earn
Ciccone and Pearson could not be immediately reached for comment.
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Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at