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OCG Press Release
OCG's 2004 complaint against Irons takes another step

November 21, 2007 Contact: Arthur C. Barton 323-1148 Download this press release HERE On Tuesday, November 20, the Ethics Commission heard -- and then denied -- three motions presented by John Tarantino, attorney for former Senate President William Irons, regarding the ethics complaint brought by Operation Clean Government in 2004. OCG alleged that former Senate President Irons violated the code of ethics by his participation in the consideration of Pharmacy Freedom of Choice legislation, while Chairman of the Senate Corporations Committee in 1999 and 2000, and used his office to obtain financial gain for CVS, his business associate. In November 2004, the Ethics Commission found probable cause supporting OCG's complaint. Mr. Tarantino made three motions on behalf of the former senate president, asking for: A jury trial Dismissal of the complaint due to the "speech in debate" clause of the RI Constitution A stay of the proceedings (after denial of the first two motions). Attorney Tarantino has said that he will now take this case to the Superior Court. The question for the court to answer is whether the formation of the Ethics Commission in 1986 gave an exception to the "speech in debate clause" that already existed in the Constitution. Article VI, Section 5 states, "...For any speech in debate in either house, no member shall be questioned in any other place." OCG President, Arthur "Chuck" Barton said, "The Ethics Commission could be greatly weakened if the courts determine it can no longer find conflicts of interest based on a legislator's actions in the General Assembly."