Tag Archive for 'Erik Wallin'

Wallin Campaign Announces Lammis Vargas Joins Campaign Staff

Posted on May 3, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Erik Wallin, Candidate for Attorney General today announced today the addition of Lammis Vargas to his campaign. “I am very pleased to announce that Lammis Vargas is joining my campaign for Attorney General as Deputy Campaign Manager. She is an extraordinarily talented person who brings with her a wealth of political experience. We are excited to have her on board.”

Vargas most recently worked for the Rhode Island GOP as both the Executive Director and Director of Operations. Vargas joined the RIGOP in August 2007 as Director of Operations and served as the Executive Director from 2009 to April 2010. As Exective Director, her duties included controlling the all day office operations, assisting with candidate recruitment, organizing State Central Committee meetings, coordinating work with the Budget Committee, administering the statewide electronic Voter Vault program, fundraising for the party, scheduling/planning of fundraising events, producing RNC correspondence/reports, coordinating the Get Out The Vote effort statewide, and developing relationships and working with both urban and suburban community groups. Lammis also oversaw the Diversity Outreach Program including expanding the Party’s presence in diverse communities around the state and helping to communicate the Republican platform in those communities.

Vargas, who is of Colombian descent and bilingual, was born in Providence and raised in Central Falls. She graduated from Central Falls High School and has a Justice Studies degree at Rhode Island College. She also served as an assistant in the Providence office of former United States Senator Lincoln Chafee from 2005 through January 2007.

Vargas serves on the Womens Fund of Rhode Island Board and is a member of the National Federation of Republican Women and Republican National Hispanic Assembly. She also serves on the Juvenile Hearing Board of the City of Pawtucket. She has served as the vice-president of both the RI Latino Political Action Committee (RILPAC) and the RI Latino Civic Fund and is the past president of the Latin American Student Organization of Rhode Island College.

“Now that my campaign is in full swing and we are aggressively pressing forward to bring my message of battling political corruption, gang violence, and the child predators that continue to plague our state, her addition to the team is a critical link in the campaign chain,” Wallin added.

Contact: 401-575-2633 or press [at] erikforag [dot] com

Press Release: Erik Wallin for Attorney General

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Press Releases and Republican Candidates Closed Tags: .

AG Candidate Erik Wallin Renews Call for Appointment of Special Prosecutor

Posted on April 25, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

April 25, 2010 – Attorney General Candidate Erik Wallin today renewed his call for the appointment of a special prosecutor or the involvement of the U.S. Attorney into the ongoing investigation of Central Falls Mayor Charles “Chuck” Moreau. Noting the article today in the Providence Journal, Wallin stated, “It is clear that this investigation is ongoing by the Rhode Island State Police for the corruption perpetrated on not only the people of Central Falls but all Rhode Islanders and businesses. What I still do not understand is why after almost three months since my initial call for this or a year since this first came to light in the media, Attorney General Lynch has taken no clear action on this matter.” Wallin noted that his original call for either the appointment of a special prosecutor or the involvement of the U.S. Attorney was on January 27th of this year.

Wallin continued, “While today’s article reveals much more of the details of what was occurring and the specifics about what was being charged to board up a house, the underlying public corruption reported is the same that we knew about over a year ago, and is the same that Attorney General Lynch said on the Lively Experiment with Arlene Violet months ago that he would take no action. And as far as I know, there it has stood.” Wallin added, “Attorney General Lynch owes it to the people of Rhode Island to inform them of what will occur in terms of an investigation. While the Rhode Island State Police have launched and are continuing to investigate, who will prosecute is a question that has not been answered.”

Wallin noted that these actions by Mayor Moreau’s longtime friend of severely over-charging for boarding up foreclosed homes under so-called “emergency powers” of Mayor Moreau was first reported by reporter Bill Rappleye in the beginning of 2009. “Attorney General Lynch was put on notice over a year ago about what was occurring,” Wallin stated, “but Attorney General Lynch took no action and therefore Mayor Moreau’s friend reaped millions at the expense of the people of Central Falls, the people of Rhode Island and both national and local businesses. Clearly, this was an attempt to take advantage of the mortgage crisis thinking that the big banks would just pay these outrageous liens no questions asked.”

Wallin reiterated that as Attorney General, he will have a Public Corruption Task Force staffed with seasoned prosecutors who will have primary responsibility for proactively and aggressively investigating and prosecuting cases of public corruption. Noting that the people of Central Falls and others impacted by the public corruption in Central Falls did not call the Attorney General’s Office because they believed no action would be taken due to Mayor Moreau’s close friendship with Attorney General Lynch, Wallin stated that “under my administration, anyone who betrays the public trust will be investigated by my office, be it a republican, democrat, independent or moderate party member.” Wallin will create a 24-hour Corruption Tip-line to the Department of Attorney General so that the public can report claims to the state’s highest law enforcement office and not just the media. “I also make this pledge to Rhode Islanders, at the first sign of any conflict or apparent conflict, I will immediately appoint a special prosecutor who will independently lead the investigation – that way, Rhode Islanders will always know that their interests and rights are being protected, and not just when the target of the investigation is not a personal friend or political supporter of the Attorney General.”

Contact: 401-575-2633 or press [at] erikforag [dot] com

Committee to Elect Erik Wallin Attorney General
2212 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886

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Filed Under: Corruption, Democrats and Republican Candidates Closed Tags: .

Erik Wallin for Attorney General Fundraiser | Wednesday

Posted on April 21, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

The Committee to Elect Erik Wallin for Rhode Island Attorney General invites all supporters to attend a Wine & Cheese Fundraiser on Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Santa Maria Cultural Center, located at 846 Broadway, in East Providence, RI 02914.

Suggested Minimum Donation $25.00 Per Person.

Complimentary Food with a Cash Bar.

Checks may be made payable to: “Committee to Elect Erik Wallin”

Please RSVP to: campaign [at] erikforag [dot] com

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Fundraisers and Republican Candidates Closed Tags: .

Erik Wallin for AG Wine & Cheese Fundraiser | April 21

Posted on April 18, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

The Committee to Elect Erik Wallin for Rhode Island Attorney General invites all supporters to attend a Wine & Cheese Fundraiser on Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Santa Maria Cultural Center, located at 846 Broadway, in East Providence, RI 02914.

Suggested Minimum Donation $25.00 Per Person.

Complimentary Food with a Cash Bar.

Checks may be made payable to: “Committee to Elect Erik Wallin”

Please RSVP to: campaign [at] erikforag [dot] com

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Coming Events and Republican Candidates Closed Tags: .

Rhode Island Republican Assembly Meeting | April 8

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Raymond McKay

Rhode Island’s largest conservative organization (and sponsor of this blog), the RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY, will hold its next general meeting on Thursday, April 8th, 2010.

The meeting will be held in the lower-level of the Tri-City Elk’s Lodge No. 14, at 1915 West Shore Road, in Warwick. For those wishing to eat before the RIRA meeting, a pasta buffet dinner is available between 6:00pm and 7:00pm. The cost for dinner is $8.00 per person. It is “all you can eat” and generally includes pasta, meatballs, soup, salad, and dessert. There is also a Cash Bar available. The RIRA business meeting starts promptly at 7:00PM, and generally lasts until around 9:00PM.

The guest speaker for the meeting will be Erik Wallin, Republican candidate for Rhode Island Attorney General. In addition, several Republican candidates for General Assembly are expected to speak with us.

The RIRA is the Rhode Island affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, a thoughtful national organization of GOP conservatives working to grow and strengthen the Republican Party in the tradition of President Ronald Reagan. This is a dinner meeting, and if you want to eat, you pay for your own meal. Any like-minded conservative Republican is welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact RIRA President Ray McKay at president [at] ri-ra [dot] org or NFRA Northeast Region Vice President Will Ricci at NEVP [at] ri-ra [dot] org or visit the RIRA web site at http://www.ri-ra.org.

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Coming Events, Conservatives, Republican Assemblies and RIRA Closed Tags: .

Erik Wallin Endorsed by 15 GOP Committees & Caucus

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Phil Hirons

Rhode Island Attorney General candidate Erik Wallin announced today his endorsement by 15 local Republican Town Committee Chairs and the Rhode Island State GOP Chairmens’ Caucus.

Responding to the action, Wallin said, “I am very pleased that each of the 15 Chairs and the state GOP Chairmens’ Caucus have endorsed me. These are dedicated local Committee Chairs who have shown their support of my campaign to battle corruption at every level of our state, to crack down on gang activity and crime, and to stand up to continuing encroachment on states’ rights by the federal government.”

During the past year, Wallin has spoken and attended events across the state. On each of these occasions, he said, “people have told me they are tired of the pervasive and seemingly unending corruption in our state, and that their voices are now with mine as we fight to take back our state.”

Commenting on Wallin’s endorsement, Phil Hirons, Smithfield GOP Chairman and head of the Chairmens’ Caucus stated, “Erik is exactly the type of attorney general we need in this state – someone who is not part of the ‘good old boy network’. He will aggressively prosecute anyone who betrays the public trust no matter what their affiliation – Democrat, Moderate, or Republican. He is sending the message that under his administration, the days of the corrupt in this state are numbered.”

This announcement comes following an endorsement earlier in the week by the Rhode Island College Republicans.

Press Contact: 401-575-2633 or press [at] erikforag [dot] com

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Press Releases and Republican Candidates Closed Tags: .

Erik Wallin Calls on AG Lynch to Protect Constitutional Rights of RI’ers

Posted on March 24, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Attorney General Candidate Erik Wallin Calls on Attorney General Lynch to Protect the Constitutional Rights of Rhode Islanders

March 23, 2010 – Erik Wallin, Candidate for Rhode Island Attorney General, today called upon Attorney General Lynch to undertake an immediate review of the $938 billion dollar health care bill signed into law by President Obama. Wallin said “Provisions of this bill are unconstitutional as they infringe upon not only our individual liberties but states’ rights as well. Attorney General Lynch should therefore immediately review this bill and institute a legal challenge in order to defend our state from further infringement by the federal government.”

Wallin continued, “Never has the federal government attempted to force individual citizens to buy a good or service simply on the basis that they are Americans. Indeed, the fact that we are Americans, gives us the very right to challenge such an action, and that, as a state, we must. There are serious constitutional protections at stake, specifically the 10th Amendment. The 10th Amendment states: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Wallin added, “Nowh ere in the U.S. Constitution does it state that the federal government can require an American to buy a commodity, therefore, such ability is reserved to the states – and that doesn’t exist here in Rhode Island.”

Pointing out that Rhode Island faces a possible $400 million dollar deficit in fiscal year 2011, Wallin stated, “This healthcare bill will shift hundreds of millions of dollars in unfunded mandates onto the already breaking backs of Rhode Island taxpayers.” He noted that recent estimates by the state Department of Human Services suggesting that the overall cost to Rhode Island taxpayers would be upwards of $1.5 billion over 10 years. Wallin continued, “While state budget issues, jobs, and tax increase are also of great concern, from the perspective of the Attorney General, protecting our state’s constitutional rights must be paramount.”

Wallin urged Attorney General Lynch to confer with othe r Attorneys General from around the country who are presently preparing suits to challenge the health care bill, including state attorneys general from Florida, South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Michigan, Utah, Pennsylvania, Alabama, South Dakota, Louisiana, Idaho, Washington, Virginia and Colorado.

Press Release: Committee to Elect Erik Wallin

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Democrats and States Rights Closed Tags: .

RI Latino Professionals Business Leaders w/ AG Candidate Erik Wallin | February 12

Posted on January 12, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Join the Rhode Island Latino Professionals Business Leaders Network in celebrating our first anniversary incubating potential commercial and Professional Partnerships among Latinos and the general community throughout Rhode Island and New England.

Friday, February 12, 2010 at El Macuto Bar Restaurant, 1137 Broad Street Providence, RI 02905. (Get Directions http://tinyurl.com/y8tj79t )

Erik Wallin, Republican Candidate for Attorney General to address the Rhode Island Latino Professionals and Business Leaders Network about his campaign agenda to crack down on public corruption and crime in Rhode Island 7:00 PM.

About Erik Wallin:

A native Rhode Islander, Attorney Erik Wallin graduated from Roger William’s School of Law and served on Active Duty in the United States Air Force as a Captain and JAG, handling federal criminal cases in military courts. Upon returning to Rhode Island, Attorney Wallin was appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General in 2003. Over a period of five years at the Department of the Attorney General, Wallin worked closely with members of local, state and federal law enforcement, developing strong and effective relationships. http://www.erikforag.com/AboutErik.htm

About RILPBLN

The Rhode Island Latino Professionals and Business Leaders Network is comprise of Latino businesses and Latino employees of large organizations, non-profits and governmental departments.

The group meets once a month to network and host, from time to time, various speakers. All are welcomed and encouraged to participate in a business casual atmosphere.

For more information contact Luis Almanzar at (401) 941-5020, mileniopublishing [at] gmail [dot] com.

Past Speakers: Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts, Attorney General, Patrick Lynch, State Senator Juan Pichardo, Deputy Majority Leader Anastasia Williams, Secretary of State Ralph Mollis.

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Coming Events, Republican Candidates and Rhode Island Closed Tags: .

Erik Wallin (R!) Files to Run for R.I. Attorney General

Posted on November 5, 2009 by The Ocean State Republican

erik-wallinTo learn more about R.I. Attorney General candidate Erik Wallin, visit his campaign website at http://erikforag.com .

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Eight months after he first emerged as a possible 2010 political contender, Republican defense lawyer Erik B. Wallin, of South Kingstown, put the state Board of Elections on official notice Wednesday that he is raising money to run for attorney general.

A former prosecutor in the criminal division of the attorney general’s office, Wallin created a campaign fundraising committee in February. At the time, however, he left blank the box for candidates to declare the “office being sought.” In his new filing, he left no further doubt about the office he seeks: attorney general…

Read More: The Providence Journal

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Republican Candidates and Rhode Island Closed Tags: .

Erik Wallin Calls for Recusal of Attorney General in Landfill Case

Posted on October 28, 2009 by The Ocean State Republican

erik-wallinAttorney Erik Wallin, Expected Republican Candidate for Attorney General, Decries Continued Inaction Against Corruption and Calls for Recusal of Attorney General in Landfill Case

October 28, 2009 – Erik Wallin, a Rhode Island attorney, former State Prosecutor and expected Republican Candidate for Attorney General, today decried the continued inaction against those responsible for corruption at the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC), the state’s landfill, for wasting $75 million in taxpayer money, along with an employee allegedly falsifying his timesheet and mileage reimbursement forms. “Clearly, getting to the bottom of what happened at the landfill and what is happening there now, is on the minds of most Rhode Islanders, including the Governor, the General Treasurer and myself. However, my concern is continued inaction by our Attorney General.”

Attorney Wallin noted that the audit that has yielded no prosecutions and the recently discovered no show employee continues to be of serious concern to Rhode Islanders. “Aggressively combating corruption is something an Attorney General must have as a top priority. Unfortunately, when the Governor ordered the audit, and even before that, there was little attention from the Attorney General, and now, as the General Treasurer seeks ways to recoup some of the lost tens of millions of dollars, our Attorney General credits the creativity but seemingly dismisses the idea citing legal challenges and saying that it smacks of politics,” Attorney Wallin stated in reference to Friday’s article in the Providence Journal. “Inaction seems to be a recurring theme,” Attorney Wallin added.

With new details about the Attorney General’s lobbying efforts on behalf of the landfill, Attorney Wallin expressed his outrage. “Without question, at the very least, this required immediate disclosure by the Attorney General. Transparency for an Attorney General is paramount as the state’s top law enforcement officer, and Rhode Island deserved to know from him of his past dealings with the landfill, not from the ProJo. How could a decision by the Attorney General, a past lobbyist for the landfill, not to prosecute anyone, not raise an eyebrow – that’s why transparency is so important.” Attorney Wallin added, “It is time for the appointment of a special prosecutor to follow through on the investigation of the landfill and the recent revelation of the landfill employee with an alleged ‘no-show’ job.”

Attorney Wallin has been consistently seeking answers to decisions made with regard to prosecutions of those involved at the landfill stemming from the audit. “Rhode Islanders are entitled to answers to the Attorney General’s statement that no criminal prosecution will occur – such as, what specific crimes were considered to be prosecuted; why was it the Governor that first shed light on such illegal activity; how will you prevent this in the future,” Attorney Wallin stated. And concerning the recent no-show job, Attorney Wallin noted that he has been calling for an immediate investigation. “If I were the Attorney General, my public corruption task force would have been at the landfill the day the ProJo contacted the office for comment, if not earlier. I certainly would not have waited until the Sunday article was published or waited until public pressure increased for action. I’m glad he is finally outraged by something at the landfill, but based on his past involvement, he should recuse himself from all matters at the landfill.”

Attorney Wallin has traveled the state with the message that being committed to fighting corruption requires leadership from the Attorney General. Attorney Wallin has proposed a Public Corruption Task Force, staffed with seasoned prosecutors, investigators and a forensic auditor to immediately initiate an investigation if corruption is suspected to prevent the statute of limitations from being the shield for those who betray the public trust to hide behind. In addition, Attorney Wallin has proposed an Attorney General 24-hr corruption hotline so that Rhode Islanders can provide information and/or tips.

Media Contact: 401-575-2633 or Press [at] ErikforAG [dot] com

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Filed Under: Corruption, Press Releases and Republican Candidates Closed Tags: .