by Lexi Kriss, WPRO

Former U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha joined the Dan Yorke Show on Tuesday afternoon after his announcement declaring his run for Rhode Island Attorney General as a Democrat on Tuesday morning in Jamestown.

In 2002, Neronha was appointed to the the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island. He was fired from the position by President Trump in 2016.

When asked why he wants to run for the office of Rhode Island Attorney General, he told Yorke that “that’s the work that I know. That’s the work that I’ve led as U.S. Attorney. I feel like I can make a difference there.”

Yorke probed Neronha on his assessment of current RI Attorney General Peter Kilmartin’s job performance. Neronha told Yorke that in his role as U.S. Attorney that “Kilmartin was a good partner in many cases we did.” Kilmartin has received criticism for his choice not to recuse himself during the 38 Studios proceedings.

Neronha implied that he would have acted differently,”To me, whether there’s a conflict or not… the appearance of a conflict is just as important…a light trigger on conflicts is a healthy approach.”

During Kilmartin’s tenure, there has been public discord between the RI Attorney General’s Office and the State Police. Neronha explained that he needs the State Police to conduct the type of anti- corruption investigations he needs to, “From the day you hit that office you have to establish a strong working relationship with whoever is running the state police.”

Ultimately, Neronha expressed a sincere interest in serving the people of Rhode Island. He told Yorke,”That’s the work that I know. That’s the work that I’ve led as U.S. Attorney. I feel like I can make a difference there.”

Neronha is the first candidate to announce a run for Rhode Island Attorney General.

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