PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island's Ethics Commission has
unanimously voted to dismiss a complaint accusing Attorney General Patrick Lynch of improperly accepting a gift.

The complaint from the chairman of the state Republican Party
accused Lynch of violating a $75 limit on gifts by accepting a
plane ticket last year to a conference in New Orleans.

The ticket was paid for by the National Cable and
Telecommunications Association. Commission Vice Chairman Ross Cheit said the gift limit did not apply to the plane ticket since Lynch does not regulate the association.

Lynch, a Democrat, is running in the next year's governor's
race. His attorney previously said Lynch did nothing wrong and that his conference appearance was part of his official duties and benefited the state.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)