CENTRAL FALLS – The Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union on March 19 filed a lawsuit against Central Falls Receiver Robert Flanders, Jr., claiming he has unlawfully delegated authority to an appointed hearing officer.

The Superior Court lawsuit, filed by volunteer attorney Jennifer Azevedo, argues that the receiver’s actions are a violation of the open-meetings law, the Financial Stability Act, and residents’ rights to due to process and to petition their government.

The ACLU says it became involved in the issue in January, after residents complained about the receiver’s enactment of a subsequently suspended ordinance restricting on-street parking in the city. The ACLU claims the receiver was never present at meetings that led to the ordinance’s approval.

The ACLU wrote a letter to the receiver, arguing that he had no authority to delegate this sort of responsibility to a third party.

Flanders denies having improperly delegated authority and says he personally executes all powers of the receiver. •