Former Top Lawyer for RI State Police Blames Col. O’Donnell for Decline of Agency Morale
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
The former Chief Legal Counsel at the Rhode Island State Police is speaking out and blaming former Superintendent Steven O’Donnell for the decline of the agency’s morale.
In a series of social media posts, Lisa Holley squarely blamed O'Donnell for the decline at the agency.
“[You] can’t blame Colonel Assumpico solely for this mess. She inherited it. Morale tanked with O’Donnell,” wrote Holley on Facebook, in response to comments on the GoLocal article, "The “Proud” RI State Police Are Facing Significant Challenges — It Is Not the First Time."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAssumpico was O’Donnell’s successor and served roughly two years as head of the State Police, and worked to address a number of issues that emerged under O’Donnell’s reign, including a highly criticized 38 Studios investigation and the handling of the Jamie Donnelly-Taylor incident with a State Police detainee Lionel Monsanto.
Her tenure overlapped both the command of Brendan Doherty and O’Donnell.
Former Legal Counsel on Superintendent
GoLocal reached O'Donnell who said, "I don’t want to comment [on Holley's statement]."
When asked if he wanted to comment on the current state of the RISP morale, O'Donnell similarly declined and said, "I retired years and ago don’t want to speculate."
When another Facebook member pushed back blaming Assumpico, Holley wrote, “Perhaps that is what you heard, however, I was there during that time.”
Holley was Chief Legal Counsel for the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety for over 6 years — from November of 2008 until November of 2014.
In her position, Holley’s responsibilities consisted of the Rhode Island State Police, Capitol Police, Fire Marshal's Office, RI Municipal Police Academy, E911, Sheriffs and the Public Safety Grants Administration Office.
"I think Ann is getting blamed, and I think it’s people on Facebook that think they know everything. I don’t think it’s fair that folks that don’t know should comment on it," said Holey in a phone interview.
Her tenure overlapped both the command of Brendan Doherty and O’Donnell.
Former RI AG Peter Kilmartin and former Col. O'Donnell were criticized for their handing of the 38 Studios failure.
Presently, a series of issues are pending before the Rhode Island State Police.
On Tuesday, Rhode Island State Police Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Philbin stepped down after 25 years with the State Police.
Philbin, the Commanding Officer of the Department of Public Safety and Training, was third in command, under Deputy Superintendent Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Barry and Superintendent Colonel James Manni.
The move marks the latest in shakeups at the State Police, which was recently investigated by the Connecticut State Police — and according to sources, Philbin was among the top command staff under investigation.
The report of the Connecticut State Police was recently completed -- and referred to the Rhode Island Attorney General and U.S. Attorney.
READ The “Proud” RI State Police Are Facing Significant Challenges — It Is Not the First Time
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