The top administrator at Rhode Island’s juvenile lock-up has been placed on paid leave while facing an ethics inquiry over an undisclosed private consulting firm. Larome Myrick, executive director for the Department of Children, Youth and Families’ Division of Youth Development, was suspended from his post as state officials declined to explain the reasons behind the administrative action.
The state scrutiny follows an ethics complaint filed on Oct. 9 by Matthew Gunnip, head of SEIU Local 580, which represents employees within the Department of Children, Youth and Families. The union filing alleges that Myrick operated an outside business, Dr. Larome Myrick Consulting, without disclosing it on his mandatory financial disclosure forms.
Rhode Island Training School leader on paid leave amid ethics investigationhttps://t.co/r3sVewhI7E
During a meeting on Tuesday, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to investigate the matter after finding that the allegations, if proven true, would constitute a violation of state ethics codes. State employee payroll records show Myrick earns a salary of more than $160,000 per year in his public role, which he has held since his appointment in 2018.
The union complaint states that the consulting firm’s website marketed juvenile justice services using Myrick’s name and likeness while explicitly identifying his state position to prospective clients. According to the filing, the site previously featured a promotional video displaying images of youths who appeared to be in the custody of the Rhode Island Training School, alongside a professional testimonial written by a subordinate within the department.
Consulting Website Goes Private as Investigation Proceeds
By Oct. 20, as the Ethics Commission prepared to discuss the grievance, the consulting website had been switched to private access. Telephone calls placed to a listed number for Myrick went unreturned.
The Department of Administration confirmed that Myrick remains on paid administrative leave but stated it could not offer further comments regarding personnel matters. Representatives for the Ethics Commission indicated that the formal investigation will proceed to determine whether the alleged failure to disclose the business and the use of state credentials for private marketing violated conflict-of-interest statutes.
Head of RI Training School accused of using job to promote side business. Ethics Commission voted 7-0 today to investigate: https://t.co/eGwvnv6p0P
