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Text Box: Did Frank Williams Really Sell His Soul and Compromise His Integrity to Protect His Pension and New Courthouse?
In June 2004, Frank Williams commented that “The suggestion that the judiciary
and a supreme court justice would "cut deals" with lawyer/legislators who vote in
favor of our budget is inflammatory and without any factual basis.” Oh, Really?

Let's Examine the Facts in this Case...
This Web Site went live on February 15, 2008, a full two weeks after we witnessed
the most abhorrent behavior imaginable from the RI Supreme Court bench. For on
6 February, 2008, Four Supreme Court Justices; Williams, McKenna-Goldberg, Suttell, and Robinson, in our opinion, forever solidified the public perception that RI is, as Lincoln Steffins so aptly described us over a century ago, “A state for sale!”

Justice Frank Flaherty, being previously linked to one of Alves’ devious Pension Schemes during the closing days of his administration as Mayor of Warwick, had enough sense to recuse himself from this travesty. Although we requested a fifth Justice, preferably ex-Justice Joseph Weisberger, who we know to be above reproach, Frank Williams refused to grant that request. Obviously Williams knew that Weisberger could not be bought, nor would he betray the public trust.

How did we know how these Deities were going to rule... Simple? Chief Justice Williams has petitioned the General Assembly not to cut his budget as Gov. Carcieri had requested. Most importantly he was deeply concerned that the General Assembly would enact Pension Reforms that would seriously affect Judicial Pensions.   Besides, Sen. Alves had made it widely known that he was displeased with their previous ruling that favored 'The Palazzos' and had ultimately cost him $35,000. How dare they ruffle his feathers... Again.

Obviously some 'Deals Had Been Cut' between Alves and Williams. You know how the system works in Rhode Island... You scratch my back and I will scratch yours. Montalbano, Alves and Williams all had extremely itchy backs.

An example of the obnoxious behavior which I previously mentioned was Maureen McKenna-Goldberg's comment that perhaps Sen. Alves had been traumatized enough and should pursue recovering the money that it cost him in defending himself from us.   What about the money it cost us in defending ourselves from him? She conveniently overlooked that part of the equation.

Not to belabor the issue... BUT... Does anyone realize that these Deities have effectively re-written over 60% of RI Civil procedure in trying to make Alves come out a winner? Justice be damned... We want our pensions left intact and we need a new Courthouse!

Perhaps it is time to renovate the Supreme Court Chambers in order to reflect Justice under Chief Justice Williams. Above the bench are inscribed the words - “Non Sub Homine Sed Deo et Legge”, i.e. “Not under Man but under God and the Law”.   Considering the actions of the RI Supreme Court relative to this case, I think
it might be more appropriate that it be changed to “What’s In It For Us?”

What I find amazing is the fact that the Kent County Daily Times, a newspaper in
Alves’ hometown, knew the Court’s ruling BEFORE our attorneys received the information.   Hmmm…   I smell a Rat.

This Web site has basically shown that Frank Williams and his Supreme Court are 'Corrupt'... But there have been some new developments since my last update:

Update (03-24-2009): Justice Maureen McKenna-Goldberg has applied for the position of RI Chief Justice to replace Williams. She has recently told the Judicial Nominating Committee that she will 'tone down her rhetoric' and become less obnoxious. Can you believe her temerity? Only in RI.

Update (03-24-2009): US Attorney Bob Corrente has also applied for the Chief Justice position. This is the guy that launched 'Operation Dollar Bill' that was supposed to be a federal investigation of corruption in Rhode Island. It was announced at the time that ex-Sen. Montalbano and Alves were main targets of this investigation... Yet after three years... Not a single indictment of these miscreants has been forthcoming. It has been rumored that Williams himself was pulled into the investigation.

Update (12-18-2008): In retaliation for Gov. Carcieri denying Justice Williams his new courthouse, Frank issues a ruling against Carcieri and overturns a lower court decision saying “the governor did not have authority to lay off five state sheriffs” because of RI’s bleak financial climate. This is a perfect example of how Frank plays the political game. I don’t think Abe Lincoln would approve of this tactic… But it doesn’t bother Frank.

Update (12-12-2008):

Frank J. Williams has just resigned his position as Chief Justice of the RI Supreme Court under mysterious circumstances. He claims it is because his "mother's health is failing". Do you believe it? I don't.

The question that begs to be asked is why someone with his enormous Ego would abruptly resign the job he dearly loved, leaving $45,000 a year on the table with only two years to go for his full retirement of $187,000? It appears there is a lot more to this story than Frank is telling, as even his confidants and peers were unaware that he was even 'thinking' of leaving and were shocked at the news. Something Smells.

a. Did he leave under a sexual misconduct cloud and/or payoff to an employee to keep her quiet as has been rumored?

b. Has he been sucked into 'Operation Dollar Bill', a federal investigation that has snared his friends Sen. Joe Montalbano and Sen. Stephen Alves?

One thing is sure... Frank would never leave his job unless he was FORCED out.

It is strange that all three of the 'Scoundrels' that were involved in this case are now on the outside looking in. Miracles do happen.

I will keep this site updated as this story continues to unfold... And I'm quite sure it will.

1. The Governor has intervened and denied financing for Frank Williams new courthouse... The reason... The state can't afford it. So much for the 'deal he cut'.

2. Sen. Stephen Alves has been ousted in the state Primary by a newcomer to politics, Mike Pinga... 1st loss. Not being able to accept defeat, Alves appealed to the Election Board for a recount... 2nd loss. He then appeals to the Supreme Court which asks for another recount... 3rd loss. Alves then petitions the Supreme Court to force a 'New Election'. As would be expected, when thieves convene, Justice Goldberg postpones the hearing to Oct. 23... 3 days AFTER the Deadline to have Pinga's name put on the ballot. Bowing to extreme pressure from the media, talk show hosts, and the RI Secretary of State, the Court rules that Alves cannot have a new election. 4th loss. Craig Berke, the SC spokesman, who publicly commented that "I wanted two bites of the apple", conveniently looks the other way when Alves gets four bites. There is no doubt as to what these miscreants were trying to do... Steal the Election for Alves... And they almost succeded.

3. Sen. Joe Montalbano, the person that brokered the deal for Alves to be let 'off the hook' in exchange for a new courthouse, is ousted in the General election. The media reports that the main reason for his demise is his 'Ethics Problems'.

The outcome... Frank Williams doesn't have his new courthouse, and Alves and Montalbano have lost their seats in the Senate. Bravo... There is a God.

It appears that while the Supreme Court may be 'Corrupt'... The Court of Public Opinion is alive and well and most of all 'Honest'. Looks like they are finally tired of all the Shenanigans in the Judiciary and General Assembly.

Update (4-11-2008): I just read that two weeks after the Supreme Court let Sen. Alves off the hook in a lawsuit, Justice Williams and Sen. Montalbano cooked up a scheme to build the new Courthouse for $17,000,000 more than was previously requested and despite the fact that he publicly stated it would be DELAYED due to the bleak financial picture of the state.

Update (6-12-2008): The state Legislature just released the new budget… The Judiciary received a $17,000,000 increase and another $2,400,000 for ‘miscellaneous expenses’. The $17,000,000 was taken from RI colleges and universities, and $2,400,000 from the RI Scholarship Fund.   The children of our state will suffer, but the Judiciary is sitting pretty.     Nice work, Frank.

Who are the people that approve the financial decisions for the state? Why none other than Rep. Costantino and Sen. Alves. Gee… What a co-incidence.

It appears that the Palazzo’s aren't the only ones to get screwed by Williams. This time he 'put it to' the entire state.

God Help us all!