Today, the Rhode Island Supreme Court issued an opinion upholding Judge Michael A. Silverstein's rulings on court costs relating to State of Rhode Island v. Lead Industries Association, Inc. et al. Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin issued the following statement regarding today's Supreme Court decision:
"I am pleased that the Supreme Court has upheld the decision of Judge Silverstein that the State is not required to pay litigation costs, which were estimated to be over $10 million, to the defendants. Exposure to lead paint is a very real problem that has caused long-lasting health issues for many children. This case brought the dangers posed by lead paint to the forefront nationally and, as Judge Silverstein and the unanimous Supreme Court found, both the public and the parties substantially benefited from the Attorney General's commencement of this action."
In upholding Judge Silverstein's rulings, the Court concluded that the State is not required to pay the defendants' court costs. The State does have to pay co-examiner fees of approximately $242,000. The State expects to meet with Motley Rice, the law firm that brought the case on behalf of the State, to resolve the co-examiner fees.
Assistant Attorney General Michael Field argued the case on behalf of the State before the Rhode Supreme Court.