Rhode Island
Report will show ‘stunning’ scale of R.I. diocese’s mishandling of sexual abuse by clergy, Neronha says – The Boston Globe
“I don’t think Rhode Islanders will be surprised that there have been abuse cases involving priests — we’re all aware of that,” Neronha said. “I think the scale, when all put together, is stunning. And the church’s lack of appreciation for the harm that was caused is troubling. It’s almost like the institution felt protected from societal norms in how they reacted.”
Neronha said the report includes instances of credibly accused priests being moved to other churches.
“They moved these guys around, and there were many instances where priests were sent off for counseling or self-reflection — however the church described it,” he said. “Look, it got better over time. It’s better today than it was 20, 30, 40 years ago. No question.”
He said that improvement was spurred on by exposés such as The Boston Globe Spotlight Team’s 2002 series that investigated the systematic coverup of child sexual abuse by priests within the Catholic Church.
“That changed a lot,” Neronha said. “But still, there are ways to improve. Look, do I think that the church’s consciousness of what to do is better? Yes. Are there still things they could do better? Yes.”
Neronha said the report will include “some criticism of how the church handled things,” including its practice of requiring polygraph tests for victims. He called the use of polygraphs, which are generally not admissible in court because they can be unreliable, “just bad practice.”
Michael Kieloch, spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, issued a statement on Wednesday, saying, “We await release of the draft report, and are unable to respond or comment until we are allowed to read and review it.”
A spokesman for Neronha said he hasn’t yet determined how much time the diocese will have before its release.
State Representative Carol Hagan McEntee, a South Kingstown Democrat, said she hopes the public can read the report before the next legislative session begins in January.
For years, McEntee has been on the forefront in pushing for legislation to hold the diocese and its accused priests accountable for decades of abuse of children. Her sister, Ann Hagan Webb, has testified that a now-dead West Warwick parish priest raped her when she was a child.
While McEntee succeeded in getting “Annie’s law” passed in 2019 to extend the deadline for victims to sue over childhood sexual abuse, the state Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that the law does not retroactively apply to people or institutions who may have enabled child sexual abuse.
McEntee has tried for years to change that. This year, the House passed her legislation, but the Senate didn’t act.
She hopes other legislators will be persuaded to act in the next session, when they read the attorney general’s report and see the volume of allegations against priests and the diocese.
“This legislation is about protecting children from pedophiles and holding the institutions that shield them accountable,” McEntee said Wednesday.
Neronha noted that he has been trying for years to get legislation passed that would allow a grand jury, with court oversight, to issue a report with findings and recommendations — even when it decides no one should be charged with a crime.
“This is the perfect case for a grand jury report,” Neronha said. “Why? Because I couldn’t force anybody to come in and cooperate with us. I couldn’t force a bishop still alive, if there was one, to come in and testify under oath. And that’s the main weakness of the report.”
So, he said, he had to choose between preparing the 400-page report or convening a grand jury without releasing any further information.
“But if I had a grand jury report, I’d have the best of both worlds,” Neronha said. “I could get every witness who knows something before a grand jury under oath and make them testify under oath. And the inability to do that is the weakness of the report. But there was no way around it because I can’t get this bill passed.”
In 2019, the attorney general’s office and then-Bishop Thomas J. Tobin entered a memorandum of understanding that gave prosecutors and the state police access to 70 years of diocesan files and records — whether or not the allegations were deemed credible by the diocese.
Neronha said at the time that the review was intended to identify any prosecutable cases and ensure there are no credibly accused clergy in active ministry. His office would also give the diocese recommendations into improving its policies and procedures for preventing such abuse and responding to allegations of abuse.
The review expanded on a 2016 letter of understanding with the diocese, by providing greater access to historical records.
The attorney general’s review led to charges against several priests.
Former Reverend John Petrocelli, who was on the diocese’s list of “credibly accused” clergy, was charged in November 2020 with molesting three boys while he was an assistant pastor at Holy Family Parish in Woonsocket.
Petrocelli, now 80, was indicted on three counts of first-degree child molestation sexual assault, and nine counts of second-degree child molestation sexual assault.
Former Reverend James Silva was indicted in November 2021 on two counts of first-degree child molestation sexual assault, and nine counts of second-degree child molestation sexual assault.
Silva, now 85, is accused of sexually assaulting a boy who was under the age of 14 between 1989 and 1990, while Silva was interim director and assistant director at the diocese’s Office of Ministerial Formation. He was removed from ministry in 1993.
Kevin Fisette, on the diocese’s list of credibly accused priests, was indicted in 2022 on a charge of sexually abusing a boy in the early 1980s. Fisette, now 70, had been removed from ministry in 2009 but never removed from the priesthood.
Their cases are still pending.
Another former priest was found incompetent to stand trial. Edward Kelley had been indicted in 2021 on three counts of first-degree sexual assault, but a judge determined in early 2022 that Kelley had dementia. Kelley died in months later at age 80.
Amanda Milkovits can be reached at amanda.milkovits@globe.com. Follow her @AmandaMilkovits. Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
Bravo cameras will be rolling in Rhode Island once again this summer.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island has officially been renewed for season two—and honestly, it’s no surprise. The newest addition to the Housewives franchise quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to strong ratings and early award buzz.
READ MORE: RHORI Earned Two Critics’ Choice Award Nominations
Still, not everyone may be celebrating this news.
It didn’t take long for viewers to get hooked on the Ocean State edition, especially with the intense drama that unfolded just a few episodes in.
The Infidelity Allegations That Drove the Season
At the center of it all? The allegations of infidelity involving Rulla Nehme Pontarelli’s husband, Brian—a storyline that quickly became the season’s biggest talking point.
The situation even left Rulla questioning her future on the show, saying she would have to “think very long and hard about” returning for another season.
Will Rulla Return for Season 2?
Now that season two is officially happening, the big question is: will Rulla be back?
Fans certainly hope so. Rulla has been one of the most talked-about cast members on social media, and her storyline has driven much of the conversation around the show.
READ MORE: Fans React to First Look at Real Housewives of Rhode Island Cast
As of now, Rulla is expected to return alongside Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Kelsey Swanson, and Jo-Ellen Tiberi.
Bravo via Facebook
When and Where Filming Will Begin
If production follows last year’s schedule, filming will likely kick off in mid-June and run through mid-September—once again showcasing Rhode Island at its summer best.
For now, fans seem thrilled. The announcement sparked more than 100 excited comments on Facebook, with viewers eager for more drama, more glamour, and more Ocean State moments.
So don’t be surprised if you spot Bravo cameras popping up around Rhode Island again very soon.
40 Photos Of Real Housewives Of Dallas Stars Home For Sale
Built & owned by actress, celebrity chef & Real Housewife, D’Andra Simmons-this stylish & stunning award winning two story,5 bedroom modern is on a corner lot in prestigious Highland Park and its on sale for $5.2 Million.
Gallery Credit: Christine McKenny, Agent/ Allie Beth Allman & Associates
A Real Housewives Star Just Made $7.7M On Her Ridiculous Colorado Home
Kyle Richards, from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, just sold this ridiculously gorgeous home in Aspen, Colorado, for $7.7 Million. You’ve gotta see these pix…
Gallery Credit: Aspen MLS
The Gorga’s of The Real Housewives of New Jersey Put Their Jersey House Up For Sale
It has 7 bedrooms 5 bathrooms and a pool but really it will be better if we show you this celebrity home that is up for sale in the Jersey Shore.
Gallery Credit: EeE
A new era for State Troopers in southern RI
Closing the State Police barracks facilities in Wyoming and Wickford marks the end of an era in community policing
Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Loughlin wants the office to become the Rhode Island inspector general his party has been seeking in vain for years.
Loughlin, a former state representative, said on May 11 that, if elected, he would staff the underutilized office with people who would help him expose “fraud, waste, abuse, and government corruption.”
“Rhode Islanders are sick and tired of watching their tax dollars disappear into a black hole of inefficiency, cronyism, and outright corruption while the General Assembly talks a big game but delivers nothing − year after year after year,” Loughlin said in a news release. “For more than two decades, the legislature has failed to create a true Inspector General with real investigative power. Enough is enough. If they won’t do it, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will − starting on day one.”
Why turn the lieutenant governor into an inspector general?
The Rhode Island Constitution gives the lieutenant governor little to no authority beyond being available in case the governor is unable to finish their term. That’s prompted some to call it a “do nothing” office and others to propose abolishing it.
“Frankly, the current workload of the office leaves ample time and resources to do far more for taxpayers than ceremonial appearances and ribbon-cuttings,” Loughlin said in his news release. “Rhode Islanders deserve a Lieutenant Governor’s Office that works every day to protect their money and hold government accountable.”
The lieutenant governor’s office has a budget of $1.4 million, which Loughlin said is enough to staff and run an effective investigative team made up of “certified auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals” to review state agency spending and contracts.
He acknowledged that the lieutenant governor does not have subpoena power, but believes that investigations can be completed utilizing public records requests and gathering publicly-available data.
Loughlin, who ended his talk radio show earlier this year when he announced his campaign for governor, said he would communicate his findings through “RI Report” publications, news briefings and podcasts.
He said he would also make the office’s resources available to city and town leaders.
Republicans have been fighting for an inspector general
Rhode Island Republicans have for years promised to lower state spending by rooting out government waste, fraud and abuse. The last GOP Rhode Island governor, Donald Carcieri, launched a “Fiscal Fitness” program that aimed to save money and find efficiencies.
Democrats criticized Carcieri’s tenure for featuring exorbitant privatization and outsourcing.
Since Carcieri, the idea of creating an independent inspector general similar to those in other states has become a holy grail for Rhode Island Republicans, but the Democratic General Assembly has had little interest in it.
“If our office saves just 1% from Rhode Island’s bloated state budget, the savings would return more than ten times the entire cost of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to taxpayers – and that’s only the beginning,” Loughlin said in the news release.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 9-9-9-0
Evening: 5-5-0-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing
01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
New York1 hour agoDeadly Gang Feud Left Bystander Paralyzed in Brooklyn
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoDetroit leads northern border in drug seizures, federal report says
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoCalifornia ‘Fans First’ bill aims to cap skyrocketing concert ticket prices
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoRanking Every Cowboys Position Group By Overall Talent and Depth
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoSevere weather, flash flooding possible in South Florida on Tuesday
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoCanvas reportedly reaches deal with hackers for stolen data – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoFormer Denver Bronco Craig Morton, who became the first quarterback to start Super Bowl for 2 franchises, dies at 83
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoSeattle weather: 80s on the horizon before a long cooldown