Larissa is known both for his role in East Providence politics and as a lawyer for both the state and the town of Charlestown in battles against casino plans. Larisa lost a close election and recount for an at-large City Council seat last November, and his replacement was sworn in in December. In East Providence, the mayor is a City Council member.

Larisa is accused of violating the state’s “revolving door” rule, which says that former officials can’t represent persons before their previous agencies for a year after leaving their government positions.

The East Providence Democrats and Republicans are in a continuing battle over the activities of the Canvassing Authority, which is dominated by Democrats. In July, Larisa represented Canvassing Authority member Thomas Riley in a disciplinary hearing before the council. Riley received a reprimand, and the city Democratic Committee chairman, John F. Conley, subsequently filed the ethics complaint against Larisa, a Republican.

Vadenais’ case in Woonsocket cropped up during a dispute over a Police Department appointment. Mayor Susan D. Menard’s appointed Richard A. Dubois deputy chief in March 2006. The council says it can reject the contract. Menard says it can’t.

Vadenais’ son, Kevin Greenough, is a city police officer. The complaint -- filed by Dubois -- states that in February 2005, Dubois was involved in a disciplinary case involving Greenough and damage to city property, with Greenough ordered to pay $642 in restitution. Vadenais, the complaint states, opposed Dubois’ contract.

In the North Providence case, Burchfield had asked the commission for a legal opinion on whether his future participation in a zone change might violate the code.

The commission said that Burchfield shouldn’t vote on the zone change that would allow Generation Realty to build 86 condominiums on the site of Camp Meehan, one of the last parcels of open space in town, because the council president would probably be affected financially.

Burchfield owns a condominium on Quail Ridge Road in the adjacent Lees Farm Commons development. Complicating the question before the commission, Staff Attorney Esme DeVault said, is the fact that while his condo is about 1,200 feet from the proposed development, far enough so its value might not be affected, the common land he owns a share in abuts the development. The commission decision noted that it’s a reasonable assumption that there will be a financial impact, with no contrary evidence.