is declining. While it’s good to have new hires, the Office has no formal, in-house training programs that will assist the less-experienced attorneys to become more effective advocates for the people of the state. “Formal training doesn’t exist in this capacity. There is no mentoring program that young attorneys can use to get the help and support they need to succeed. They are often unable or unprepared to think quickly on their feet while in court and that not only hurts the credibility of the Office, but it also hurts the people state as well. We need to be better at bridging the gap when the more experienced attorneys leave and less experienced ones replace them,” he said. Finally, Calenda would like to review and possibly change the standards needed to obtain firearms permits. He said too many law-abiding citizens are unable to obtain a permit because of the nearlyunlimited discretion given to the Attorney General to decide whether or not to issue these permits. “Too many times, law-abiding citizens are turned away by the Attorney General because this Attorney General doesn’t believe they have a need for a permit,” he added. Calenda would review applications with an objective standard and with more transparency in the application process so law-abiding citizens have a realistic chance to exercise their rights under the Second Amendment. As for his slogan, “Law Above Politics”, Calenda wants to look at each case individually and make decisions based on the facts and applicable law—not based on who stands to gain or lose the most or any political ramifications that may result. He cited one recent example involving Jeffrey Britt, who worked for then-House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. He was charged with money laundering and could have landed him up to 20 years in prison, if convicted. Britt was found not guilty of the charge. Worse, the
judge overseeing that case said the not only did the prosecution not have enough evidence to prove their case, they didn’t have any evidence to prove any crime had been committed. Calenda called this a prime example of a political prosecution. This was but one incident that helped him decide to run for office. If elected, Calenda does not want to turn this into a stepping stone for a higher title.
“I would like to serve the community as a public servant,” he said. “I am not aspiring to run for another office in a few years. This is what I want to do. With my experience as a prosecutor in this Office for 12 years and my experience now in private practice, that is what separates me from the other candidates.” Chas received his undergraduate degree from the University of Miami, where he also received his Juris Doctor. He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 2006. He served in the Attorney General’s Office under former Attorneys General Patrick Lynch and Peter Kilmartin until 2018. Calenda currently practices at The Law Firm of Inman and Tourgee in Coventry, where he is employed full time. Calenda enjoys traveling when he is not working. With family based in Florida and Louisiana and New Jersey, he has the destinations lined up—when there is time for him and his wife to do so. For more information about Chas Calenda, including how to contribute, donate or volunteer for his campaign, please visit his website at: www.chas4AG.com. Also, you can email him at Chas@chas4AG.com or call him at 401-823-9200.
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