State Trooper to be Disciplined for Leaking Chafee Teen Drinking - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

State Trooper to be Disciplined for Leaking Chafee Teen Drinking Report

by Mark Curtis

mcurtis@abc6.com

     Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Col. Steven O'Donnell has confirmed to ABC-6 that he will discipline a State Trooper who leaked a police report to the press. O'Donnell is not disclosing the Trooper's name or the exact punishment.

     The report involved an underage drinking party held on Memorial Day at the Exeter estate of Gov. Lincoln Chafee and his wife Stephanie. Caleb Chafee, the couple's 18 year old son, held an end of school year pool party, where alcohol was consumed by teens. An 18 year old girl who was at the party became ill after having too much to drink and was asked to leave. She was later found with friends on Route 102 and was transported to Kent Hospital for alcohol poisoning, but has since recovered.

     A copy of the State Police investigation report was leaked to WPRO-AM 630 talk show host Matt Allen and was quickly shared with the rest of the Rhode Island media. Allen is not in any legal trouble for receiving and sharing the report, as he is protected by the First Amendment's freedom of the press.

    So far, no criminal charges have been filed in the underage drinking case, but it is still under review at the Attorney General's office.