The ACLU of Rhode Island issued the following statement in regard to today’s vote by the Rhode Island Ethics Commission to place a moratorium on the filing of complaints:

“We are disappointed that the Rhode Island Ethics Commission has voted to keep Rhode Islanders from filing complaints about candidates for office until after the election has been decided. Preventing Rhode Islanders from filing legitimate complaints out of fear that some of the complaints filed may be frivolous leaves Rhode Islanders without redress during the time of year when the ability to hold public officials – and those who seek to become public officials – accountable is perhaps at its most critical.”

A copy of the ACLU’s testimony before the Rhode Island Ethics Commission is available here.