Rhode Island Commission Seeks to Keep Judicial Nominating Letters Secret

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Rhode Island’s Judicial Nominating Commission wants to keep confidential the letters it receives advocating for or against candidates for state judgeships. The commission asked Attorney General Patrick Lynch “to confirm” its interpretation of the state’s public records law. The commission has released such letters in the past but new chairman Stephen Caroltti refused a request from the Providence Journal. The full commission then agreed to seek an AG’s opinion. (7/22/08)