Lynch backs bill aimed at stopping corruption

PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch announced his support this month for public-corruption legislation introduced in the Rhode Island House by a candidate for Lynch’s job.
Lynch, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, is backing H-7425 – the Government Integrity and Public Accountability Act of 2010 – a bill submitted by Rep. Peter Kilmartin, D-Pawtucket, a candidate for attorney general. Lynch said the legislation mirrors a federal law that allows for a maximum sentence of 10 years to serve and a maximum fine of $150,000 for instances of corruption.
The bill would create a new chapter within Title 11 titled “crimes against the public trust,” which applies to public servants – state, municipal and contract employees, and elected and appointed state and municipal officials. It would create the criminal offense “theft of honest services,” which makes it illegal for any public servant to fraudulently engage in or attempt to engage in “any conduct that deprives the public of the intangible right of honest services,” Lynch said in a statement. &#8226