THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF RHODE ISLAND IS THE STATE'S CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. HE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER ELECTED BY THE CITIZENRY EVERY 2 YEARS, AND HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROCESSING ALL FELONIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT HAS A CRIMINAL DIVISION WHICH PROSECUTES ALL INFORMATIONS AND INDICTMENTS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT, WHICH IS THE GENERAL TRIAL COURT FOR FELONY CASES. OF THE NUMBER OF UNITS IN THE DIVISION CHARGED WITH PROSECUTING CERTAIN TYPES OF CASES, THE WHITE COLLAR AND ECONOMIC CRIME UNIT IS ONE WHICH DEALS WITH FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CRIMES. IT HAS HAD FEDERAL FUNDING FOR 3 YEARS OF OPERATION, AND UNDER LEAA REQUIREMENTS IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUED FEDERAL FUNDING. THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT GRANTED THE NEEDED FUNDS FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE UNIT UNTIL THE NEXT STATE FISCAL PERIOD. A REQUEST FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING UNTIL THE NEXT STATE FISCAL PERIOD IS PENDING. THE INDICTMENTS, DISPOSITIONS, PLEAS, DISMISSALS, AND SENTENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIT'S WORK ARE REPORTED. THE MOST IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENT IS MAKING THE PUBLIC, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND THE COURTS AWARE OF THE EXTENT OF WHITE COLLAR ECONOMIC CRIME AND ITS DAMAGE TO THE CITIZENRY. IN THE ABSENCE OF CONTINUED FUNDING, HOWEVER, THIS AREA OF CRIME WOULD RETURN TO THE JURISDICTIONS OF OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WHERE IT WOULD RECEIVE LESS THAN TOP PRIORITY. ON THE BASIS OF THE EXPERIENCES OF THIS UNIT IN CONFRONTING FUNDING PROBLEMS, SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED FOR LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIT THAT IS CONCERNED ABOUT CONTINUED STATE FUNDING FOR ITS WORK. THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEARLY DELINEATING THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK DONE IS EMPHASIZED, ALONG WITH THE SECURING OF PUBLICITY ABOUT ACCOMPLISHMENTS SO THAT PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE UNIT'S WORK WILL BE STRONG ENOUGH TO SWAY THOSE LEGISLATORS WHO MAKE BUDGET DECISIONS. (ECB)