Friends of Jim McLaughlin

Friends of Jim McLaughlin Jim McLaughlin, Candidate for State Representative
District 57 (Cumberland, RI)
401-741-1834
McLaughlin Condemns Rep. Brandon Voass
Attempt to Exempt Himself from Inspector Generals Scrutiny:
Rep. Voas Voted Not Once but Twice Against Including the House and
Senate in Inspector Generals Oversight Law.
Good for Thee, But Not for Me
CUMBERLAND, RI Jim McLaughlin, candidate for State Representative in District 57, Cumberland, RI, blasted Brandon
Voas, current Representative for District 57, for voting for legislation (H7127A) that would create an Office of Inspector
General while deliberately exempting the RI General Assembly and the judiciary from this oversight. Representative Voas
also voted against an amendment to the Inspector Generals legislation (H7127A) that would include bringing the House
and Senate under the jurisdiction of the Inspector Generals oversight.
McLaughlin said the exemption is indefensible and exposes a culture of political selfprotection.
There is absolutely no excuse none for the legislature to exempt itself from oversight, McLaughlin said. Good
for thee, but not for me thats the motto of Voas and his buddies on Smith Hill, and Rhode Islanders are tired of it.
The bill claims to strengthen accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse yet shields the very institution
that has faced repeated legal controversies. As the attached document notes (Exhibit A), there have been an array of
controversies in the legislature relating to hirings and firings, allegations of sexual harassment, theft and many questions
relating to the unlawful conduct of our Rhode Island state legislators while in office.
McLaughlin emphasized that the exemption is not required by the Rhode Island Constitution or the Separation of
Powersdoctrine.
McLaughlins Pledge
McLaughlin vowed that, if elected, he will immediately introduce legislation to correct the flaw in H8562 that
exempts our legislature from oversight.
If I am elected, I will file legislation to put the legislature under the same oversight as every other branch and
agency, McLaughlin said. No more special treatment. No more double standards. No more hiding behind
excuses. Shame on you Representative Voas!
Name Chamber Crime Year Found
Guilty
Deputy Majority Leader House Embezzlement of campaign funds 2015
RI Senate Member Senate Bank fraud, tax charges 2018
House Speaker House Bribery, wire fraud, tax crimes 2015
House Finance Chairman House Wire fraud, tax crimes, identity theft 2017
Finance Committee Member Senate Extortion, video voyeurism 2018
House Minority Leader House Drug possession 2012
Exhibit A (RI Legislators Who Were Found Guilty While in Office)
No one is
above
the law
This is why voters need this RI General Assembly under the Inspector Generals Office!
Paid for by the Friends of Jim McLaughlin