RI House GOP pushes to ‘claw back’ contaminated fill settlement funds, Neronha calls amendment ‘stunt’

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island Republican lawmakers have drafted a budget amendment to “claw back” $11 million in funds they say RI Attorney General Peter F. Neronha unlawfully redirected to his “private pet cause.”

According to a statement from the 2025 Rhode Island House Minority Caucus, Neronha violated statutory law after funds from a May 21 settlement with Barletta Heavy Division were “funneled” to several organizations.

These were his own office, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Foundation.

The $11 million settlement stems from claims that Barletta unlawfully dumped tons of contaminated fill during the Route 6/10 Interchange project.

The Republican caucus’ amendment would take money from Neronha’s operating budget and redirect it to several organizations in the amount of $1 million each, including United Way of Rhode Island, The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Crossroads Rhode Island. 

According to the house minority statement:

RIGL Title 42 explicitly mandates that the proceeds of any monetary settlements entered into by the Attorney General on behalf of the State be paid into the general fund, which is controlled by the General Assembly, but Neronha ignored that mandate last month when he settled the 6/10 connector contaminated soil case with the general contractor Barletta.

“If we don’t act now we will only be ratifying his conduct and setting a terrible precedent allowing him and his successors the ability to use taxpayer money as a private piggy back for pet causes for whatever suits their fancy,” said Representative Brian Newberry, District 48, North Smithfield/Burrillville.

“This cannot stand.”

When reached for comment on the budget amendment, Attorney General Neronha said in part:

Notwithstanding this stunt, I continue to have the utmost respect for the members of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and the important work, present example aside, to which they commit themselves on behalf of their constituents.

Bottom line: directing funds from the resolution of a criminal case brought by this office and authorized by a court to solve severe and unmet oral health challenges for Providence children is well within the authority of my Office. We are prepared to defend attempts to argue otherwise.

According to Neronha’s office, Barletta agreed to fund the Attorney General’s 6/10 Children’s Fund with $10 million from the settlement.

These funds were earmarked for improving the dental and physical health of children living in Providence neighborhoods near the 6/10 interchange, according to the May 21 statement from Neronha’s office.

The settlement called for the $10 million to be paid directly to the Rhode Island Foundation, which would then distribute the funds.

$750,000 and $250,000 from the settlement were designated to compensate the AG’s office and DEM for investigative costs, respectively.

ABC6 has also reached out to the Rhode Island Foundation for comment in this matter.