This story was originally published by Rhode Island Current.
By Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the state for employment discrimination based on race or other protected classes under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
The June 4 notice, first reported by The Public’s Radio, was obtained by Rhode Island Current Thursday. The two-page letter from Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general in the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, offers little information about the basis for the investigation.
“Our investigation is based on information that Rhode Island may be engaged in employment practices regarding its affirmative action program governing state government employment under state law that discriminate based on race, national origin, or other protected characteristics in violation of Title VII,” Dhillon wrote.
“Accordingly, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division has authorized a full investigation to determine whether Rhode Island is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination as set forth above.”
Attorney General Peter Neronha and Gov. Dan McKee appeared caught off-guard by the notice of the probe.
“The Office is still reviewing, as the subjects and focus of their investigation are unclear,” Tim Rondeau, a spokesperson for Neronha’s office, said in an email Thursday. “We will share more information when we are able.”
Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKee’s office, also said the administration was waiting for more details.
“At this time, we have no reason to believe that there is an issue with our current hiring practices,” DaRocha said in an email Thursday.
Dhillon wrote that the investigation does not mean the DOJ has reached a conclusion or determination of violations of federal anti-discrimination protections.
Updated to include a response from Gov. Dan McKee’s office.
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