Cranston Judge Charged with Assaulting Girlfriend Will Be Asked to Recuse Himself for Now

Thomas Ricci, the Cranston Municipal Court judge who was arrested in East Greenwich on Monday for an alleged domestic assault, will be asked to step down from the bench until his case is adjudicated.

Cranston City Council President John E. Lanni Jr. said in an interview that he has spoken with Municipal Court Chief Judge Fred E. Joslyn Jr. and ”we’re both looking for the same thing — that [Ricci] recuse himself from any further activity as Municipal Court Judge until this is adjudicated.”

Lanni said he was surprised to learn that Ricci was arrested for domestic simple assault and domestic disorderly conduct.

“I am surprised,” Lanni said. “Municipal Court judges that we appoint have been the same ones for some time. It’s a rotation that hasn’t really changed up until this point.”

Ricci’s resume shows he is qualified for the job, Lanni said, and “I’m not going to judge or make any fast judgements and that’s why I’m asking the Chief Judge to have him step down.”

Municipal Court judges in Cranston receive a stipend of about $3,800 per year. Few lawyers take the job for the money — usually it is considered as a sign of prestige and a form of community service.

Ricci’s recusal would solve the problem of a judge in Cranston potentially presiding over cases while facing criminal charges himself.

“It presents a problem,” Lanni said. “Respect for the court is paramount. That’s why I’m asking for this — for the integrity of the court.”

Municipal Court judges are appointed by the City Council. Lanni said he has never heard of any problems or issues relating to Ricci’s years of judgeship since he was first appointed in 2007.

Ricci has also served on the Rhode Island Supreme Court Disciplinary Board, the state Coastal Resource Management Council and Warwick’s Judicial Selection Committee.

Police said they charged Ricci with domestic simple assault and domestic disorderly conduct after they responded to a complaint that he assaulted the victim after she confronted him over text messages she found on his phone while he slept.

After she woke him up, according to a police report, he grabbed her by the neck and struck her multiple times. She reportedly smashed a his computer and threw a remote control at him, which struck him in the face and caused a small laceration.

The victim, who reportedly was a Playboy model, posted pictures of her injuries on Facebook on Monday. A large, dark bruise encircled her neck. The images compelled many to comment on social media Monday night that the charge should have been felony assault instead.

Ricci was arraigned Monday in Third Division District Court on charges of domestic simple assault and domestic disorderly conduct and released on personal recognizance, court records show. He is due to return to court on June 5 for a pretrial conference.

SEE ALSO:

Cranston Mayor Urges City Council Closely Monitor Allegations Against Judge

Cranston Municipal Court Judge Charged with Domestic Assault, Disorderly Conduct