PROVIDENCE – Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, the chief of the Office of the State Medical Examiner for more than 11 years, has resigned, effective immediately, and her former deputy, Dr. Jennifer Swartz, has been named interim chief pending a national search for her replacement.

In addition, state Health Director Dr. David Gifford said, the office is being reorganized “to assure a higher level of management accountability, performance and customer service.”

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The medical examiner’s office has come under fire repeatedly in the last year. A report on The Station fire criticized Laposata for staying home at first and failing to marshal “the necessary investigative and transportation resources” to handle such a large tragedy. Last November, the state Division of Occupational Safety cited the office for 10 violations. And most recently, complaints have surfaced about long-delayed autopsy reports.

In March, Laposata gave Gifford data indicating that 95 percent of autopsy cases are completed within six months, and Gifford conveyed that information to legislators who were concerned about the office’s operations. Since then, however, Gifford said, health officials have learned there are actually “hundreds of cases” in which a final autopsy report hasn’t been issued, even though all the tests and investigations have been completed.

Gifford said he has asked the Bureau of Audits to help his department “so that a full evaluation and disclosure of the status of autopsy reports can be made.”

Bill provides tax credits for fire code upgrades

PROVIDENCE – A new bill sponsored by state Rep. Rene R. Menard, D-Lincoln, would provide tax credits of up to $1,000 a year, retroactive to July 1, 2004, to help offset the cost of property and business owners’ efforts to comply with the 2003 fire safety code revisions.

The credit would apply toward an individual’s state income taxes, and could be taken for up to five years. Menard said in a news release that he believes most Rhode Islanders have been “cooperative” about compliance with the new code, but cost has been their main obstacle.

“The fire code revisions were helpful from a safety perspective, but they do carry with them some significant costs to the individual,” said Menard, a retired Woonsocket firefighter and co-sponsor of the fire code revision. “My hope is that this credit will make it easier and more feasible for people to install sprinklers and exit signs and do whatever other work is necessary for them to protect people in their buildings.”

The bill, H-6434, has been referred to the House Finance Committee.

AAi.FosterGrant takes on new name, brands

SMITHFIELD – After integrating the Magnivision, Gargoyles, Angel and Anarchy brands into its operations, eyewear maker AAi.FosterGrant has changed its name to FGX International, a name it says reflects its identity as a “multi-brand, multi-channel worldwide company.”

Founded in 1919 as FosterGrant, a maker of women’s hair accessories, and selling sunglasses since 1939, FGX International has, in recent years, developed one of the largest brand portfolios in the industry, with a wide array of sunglasses, reading glasses and accessories.

“As AAi.FosterGrant we worked hard to successfully grow and establish ourselves as the marketplace leader in the design and distribution of branded eyewear and jewelry,” chairman and CEO John Ranelli said in a news release. “As FGX International, we will continue this heritage to expand our portfolio, grow our brands and become the leader in our new markets.”

Along with its own brands, FGX International markets eyewear under licensed brands such as Levi Strauss Signature, Ironman Triathlon, Body Glove, Club Med and Nascar’s Jeff Gordon. The company is owned by Berggruen Holdings, a private investment firm with offices in New York and London.

ICOA closes acquisition of WiSE Technologies

WARWICK – ICOA Inc., a national provider of wireless broadband Internet networks and managed services in airports, restaurants, marinas and hot zones, says it has closed its acquisition of WiSE Technologies Inc., a Landover, Md., provider of Wi-Fi services to airports, hospitality, higher education, multiple dwelling units, highway plazas and cafes.

The WiSE footprint includes more than 50 high-traffic public locations, ICOA said. All WiSE locations will be integrated into ICOA’s national infrastructure.

ICOA CEO Rick Schiffmann said with the addition of WiSE, ICOA now provides wireless broadband services to more U.S. airports than any other company. The acquisition also gives ICOA “a strong foundation in higher education and highway travel plazas,” he said.

Gary Murray II, founder and president of WiSE, is joining ICOA as director of business development, and Najib Kabbani, WiSE executive vice president, will focus on the higher education segment, among other duties.

Tufts Health Plan president, COO resign

WALTHAM, Mass. – Tufts Health Plan President and CEO Nancy Leaming and Chief Operating Officer Rich Hallworth have resigned, the company’s board of directors announced, and James Roosevelt Jr. has been named president and CEO, effective immediately.

Leaming joined Tufts Health Plan in 1986 as COO, and became president and CEO in 2003.

Roosevelt has served as a senior vice president and general counsel for the last five years.

He has also served as associate commissioner for retirement policy for the Social Security Administration under President Clinton.

“Jim has the full confidence of the Tufts Health Plan board of directors as he develops and implements an aggressive action plan to address declining membership,” board chairman Davey Scoon said in a news release. “Through Jim’s aggressive action, we are confident that Tufts Health Plan will continue to maintain its important role as a major insurer in the commonwealth.”