Former State Police Lieutenant Pleads To Ethics Violation

PROVIDENCE, RI — A former Rhode Island State Police lieutenant pleaded no contest Thursday to charges accusing him of conducting personal business while on duty.

John "Jay" Gibbs, 51, was sentenced to a one-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay $500 to the Victims of Crimes Indemnity Fund for the violation of the state's code of ethics and giving a false document to a public official.

The charges stem from 2018, when according to Attorney General Peter Neronha's office, Gibbs owned Ocean State Scale and Balance, LLC, a business that sold commercial scales. In June 2018, the Rhode Island State Police collected quotes for new commercial scales, including from a competitor of Gibbs' company. He shared that information with Commercial Scale & Balance, a Massachusetts company he had a business relationship with.

The company was initially awarded the contract, being the lower bidder, but it was later taken away when challenged by another vendor.

"Lt. Gibbs violated the state’s code of ethics by standing to benefit from a transaction that conflicted with the proper discharge of his duties as a state employee," Neronha's office said in a release.

During the week of June 30, Gibbs submitted a time card showing a full week of work, despite conducting business associated with the other company.