Gallison reportedly practiced law without license

The former law maker from Bristol is already under state and federal investigation

Posted 7/25/16

Already under state and federal investigation, former House Finance Chairman Ray Gallison is facing additional scrutiny over whether he unlawfully practiced law in Rhode Island.

Mr. Gallison …

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Gallison reportedly practiced law without license

The former law maker from Bristol is already under state and federal investigation

Posted

Already under state and federal investigation, former House Finance Chairman Ray Gallison is facing additional scrutiny over whether he unlawfully practiced law in Rhode Island.

Mr. Gallison reportedly handled the estate of a Warren woman, Anne Perkins," WJAR channel 10 reported. He has a law license in Massachusetts, but not in Rhode Island, making him inelligle to practice as an attorney in the state. He also reportedly handled the estate of Ray Medley, a former freelance photographer for East Bay Newspapers who died in 2012. Mr. Gallison was working on the Barrington man’s estate until the Barrington Probate Court removed him for failing to adequately represent the estate’s interests, according to Warren attorney Tucker Wright who now represents the estate.

Among nearly $1 million the FBI seized from Gallioson — three days after he resigned under investigation as a state representative from Bristol — was more than $200,000 belonging to Mr. Medley's estate. Much of that money was slated to be distributed among several charities and non-profit organizations, many of which are located in the East Bay. Mr. Tucker said he intends to petition the court for a partial disbursement to such organizations as Warren United Methodist Church, Massasoit Historical Society and area Masonic lodges.

Some of Mr. Medley's personal belongings were also missing, including a valuable stamp and coin collection, and most of the contents of his house. Mr. Gallison delivered the stamp and coin collection to Mr. Tucker, along with the key to a Warren storage unit where the furniture and other household items were being held, Mr. Tucker said.

Mr. Gallison, 64, resigned from the General Assembly in May after news broke that he was under state and federal investigation. Initially, there were reports of a prostitution scandal, but the investigation has since focused on financial dealings.

He has not been charged in relation to those investigations — and it is still unclear specifically what investigators are looking for — but Mr. Gallison could face charges for practicing law in Rhode Island, turnto10.com reported. Practicing law in Rhode Island without a license is a crime that the state could investigate.

Mr. Gallison has not returned calls seeking comment and has not spoken publicly since resigning in May. 

Ray Gallison, RI General Assembly, FBI

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.