Carcieri faces ethics probe in niece’s hiring

PROVIDENCE -- The state Ethics Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to investigate allegations that Gov. Don Carcieri broke a nepotism law when he hired his niece in 2002.

William Lynch, the chairman of the state Democratic Party, filed the complaint in June after NBC 10 News reported that Carcieri's niece, Stephanie Accaputo, works in the governor's constituent affairs office.

Accaputo is the daughter of Carcieri's wife's brother.

State ethics regulations in place since 1991 bar state officials from hiring their nieces, including those related by marriage. Carcieri has argued that the rules weren't clear when Accaputo was hired.

Ethics Commission prosecutor Dianne Leyden said the case is not complicated.

"A public official is prohibited, pursuant to the Code of Ethics, from financially benefiting a family member.  Obviously, if you hire your family member, you're financially benefiting that family member," Leyden said.

"I don't know what the question is. It's clear," she said.

Carcieri's lawyers said they will defend the governor, but they would not say on what grounds.

"I'm not going to discuss the details of the defense or any strategy," said Thomas Dickinson, who represents the governor.

There was no comment from Carcieri's office.