The Rhode Island Ethics Commission has dismissed a complaint against state Senate President Valarie J. Lawson alleging she violated ethics rules by voting on legislation related to charter school restrictions and union organizing. The commission voted 4 to 1 on September 1 to reject the complaint, concluding that even if the facts were accurate, they would not constitute an ethics violation.

Lawson, a Democrat from East Providence and president of the National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI), a teachers union representing roughly 12,000 members, faced scrutiny after casting votes on a bill imposing a three-year moratorium on new charter schools and reducing the number of allowable charters in the state. She also voted on a separate measure aimed at facilitating worker unionization by allowing majority signatory card recognition and mandating management neutrality. That bill passed the Senate but failed in the House.

The complaint was filed by Defending Education, a Virginia-based advocacy group led in communication by former Cumberland School Committee member Erika Sanzi. The complaint argued a conflict of interest, highlighting Lawson’s dual roles as union president and Senate leader, and suggested that NEARI’s legislative agenda could be effectively negotiated by Lawson alone.

During commission deliberations, retired judge Hugo L. Ricci Jr. proposed launching an investigation but failed to garner support. He cast the sole dissenting vote, while the majority found no ethics violation and dismissed the complaint without prejudice.

Lawson released a statement expressing gratitude for the commission’s decision, noting that her votes aligned with previous advisory guidance and established ethics rules. She emphasized that the complaint originated from an out-of-state organization.

Sanzi responded by expressing disappointment with the commission’s ruling, stating that the complaint demonstrated ongoing ethical concerns and alleging that the decision could reinforce undue influence of unions and special interests in the Rhode Island General Assembly.

Notably, Lawson recused herself from votes related to four education-related matters this year, including the reappointment of Mary K. Barden, NEARI’s executive director, and other bills involving NEARI-affiliated issues. A Senate spokesman indicated these recusals were made out of caution after legal consultation, despite those votes likely not requiring recusal under ethics rules.

Separately, the Ethics Commission unanimously voted to investigate a complaint against Senate Minority Leader Gordon E. Rogers, a Republican from Foster. The complaint alleges that Rogers, who also serves as Foster’s Department of Public Works director, improperly used town resources to widen and resurface a 300-foot portion of a “paper” road on property he leases to Partners Auto for vehicle storage. The complainant, former Foster councilwoman Lynne S. Rider, contends this work benefited Rogers’ private interests without council approval in an open meeting.

Rogers denied any wrongdoing, stating that as DPW director, he is responsible for maintaining public roads and does not require council permission for such actions. He asserted the road remains public and that his investigation will clear him of any misconduct, characterizing the complaint as an unfounded attempt to create controversy.

The Ethics Commission’s investigation into Rogers’ case is ongoing.