Rhode Island Sues Feroce Over $1.55M in Taxes

The state seeks more than $1.5 million in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties from entrepreneur Giovanni Feroce, who says the case is retaliation.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Accessories

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a plain granite state government building under a grey sky, in deep red and cream, evoking a state tax dispute. — The State of Rhode Island is suing entrepreneur Giovanni Feroce in Providence Superior Court for $1,552,254.59 in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The State of Rhode Island has sued Giovanni Feroce in Providence Superior Court for $1,552,254.59 in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties. Feroce says the state is targeting him in retaliation for a 2018 op-ed criticizing Brown University President Christine Paxson.

Why it matters

The suit places a former Alex and Ani executive and 2018 gubernatorial candidate at the center of a state tax dispute with a claim that continues to grow as interest and penalties accrue. For Rhode Island residents, it raises questions about how the state pursues tax debts against prominent figures and how claims of retaliation are weighed.

The claim is itemized as $860,934.89 in tax principal, $834,180.04 in accrued interest and $256,236.46 in penalties, less $399,096.80 already paid. Feroce finished third in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary with less than 1,200 votes, or 3.5%.

The players

Giovanni Feroce

A former Alex and Ani executive and 2018 Republican gubernatorial candidate who launched the Benrus brand and says he is being targeted by the state.

Christine Paxson

The president of Brown University, whose criticism prompted a 2018 op-ed by Feroce that he says triggered the state's action.

The details

Feroce was pushed out of Alex and Ani in 2014 and later launched Benrus, which went into receivership in 2018. He states he created The Feroce Foundation after the dispute began and attributes the state's action to his 2018 op-ed about Paxson.

2014: Feroce is pushed out of Alex and Ani.
2018: Feroce runs in the Republican gubernatorial primary and Benrus enters receivership.
November 2, 2026: Coverage of the lawsuit is published.

Market Landscape

Lawsuits over unpaid state taxes against individual business owners are a recurring form of enforcement in Rhode Island. This case adds a dispute over whether enforcement against a public critic of a university president reflects ordinary collection or retaliation.

Rhode Island taxpayers and business owners may see how the state pursues unpaid tax debts through the courts. The case shows that interest and penalties continue to accrue on a disputed balance until it is resolved.

The takeaway

Unpaid tax balances can grow quickly once interest and penalties accrue, so business owners should address state tax notices early. Keeping payment records and responding within deadlines can reduce the total owed.