Consent Disbarment For Witness Bribery Conviction

An attorney convicted of bribery, obstruction of justice and related conspiracy charges was disbarred on consent by the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

RI.gov reported on the conviction

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause sentenced Gerard Donley (DOB: 10/15/58), with a last known address of 50 Betsey Williams Drive, Cranston, to a total of 11 years, with six years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.

In June, a jury found Donley guilty of obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice, bribery and conspiracy to bribe a witness.  

During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Donley conspired with two indicted co-conspirators to bribe a witness to prevent him from testifying against this client in a criminal matter.   The State also proved that Donley obstructed the judicial system by influencing a witness’ testimony which resulted in him providing false testimony before the Grand Jury.

Commenting on the sentence, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin said, “Our system of law, the very best in the world, is built upon the simple principles of trust and faith.  If we do not have trust and faith in our legal system, it will fail.  When those who are entrusted to uphold the law violate that trust, obstruct justice and bribe witnesses to not testify, it erodes the foundation of our justice system; putting it at risk for all. 

Laws are not made for the benefit of the few, and nor should laws be broken to benefit the few.  The defendant chose to knowingly and brazenly break the law, thumbing his nose at the system of law he took an oath to uphold.  He chose to make a mockery of law enforcement, the prosecution and the Court, and today was held accountable.”

The attorney had been suspended as a result of the conviction. (Mike Frisch)