PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A recently retired Rhode Island Supreme Court justice has tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting a change in at least two swearing-in ceremonies.
Francis X. Flaherty, who retired on Dec. 31, was supposed to swear in new House speaker, K. Joseph Shekarchi and Warwick Mayor-elect Frank Picozzi on Tuesday.
News of the positive test came in a news release about Picozzi’s ceremony.
“RI Supreme Court Justice and former Warwick Mayor Francis X. Flaherty was to administer the oath of office to Mayor-Elect Picozzi on Tuesday, January 5th, but has tested positive for Covid-19,” the statement said.
Picozzi on his Facebook page said he has spoken with Flaherty and “he’s as disappointed as I am.”
District Court Judge Stephen Isherwood will take Flaherty’s place.
House spokesman Larry Berman told The Providence Journal on Monday that Flaherty called Shekarchi on Saturday to advise him that he would not be able to administer the oath of office to him.
Supreme Court Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg will step in for Flaherty.
