# Rhode Island Democratic Chair Resigns After Husband Indicted

> Rhode Island Democratic Party chair Liz Beretta-Perik resigns after husband Michael Perik faces $20 million fraud charges.
- Title: Rhode Island Democratic Chair Resigns After Husband Indicted
- Summary: Rhode Island Democratic Party chair Liz Beretta-Perik resigns after husband Michael Perik faces $20 million fraud charges.
- Keywords: liz beretta-perik, michael perik, rhode island democratic party, pennsylvania, pennsylvania democratic party, pennsylvania state, pennsylvania state government, pennsylvania state legislature, pennsylvania state assembly, pennsylvania state senate, pennsylvania state governor, pennsylvania state budget
- Source: The Boston Globe — https://bostonglobe.com/2026/10/20/metro/ri-democratic-party-chair-calls-to-resign-husband-indicted-fraud-charges
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: liz beretta-perik, michael perik, rhode island democratic party, pennsylvania, pennsylvania democratic party, pennsylvania state, pennsylvania state government, pennsylvania state legislature, pennsylvania state assembly, pennsylvania state senate, pennsylvania state governor, pennsylvania state budget
## Resignation Announcement
Liz Beretta-Perik resigned as Rhode Island Democratic Party chair effective Tuesday.
## Husband Indicted in Fraud
Michael Perik faces $20 million fraud charges related to Pell grants and federal subsidies.
## Timing of Charges
Indictment comes two weeks before November 3 general election with early voting underway.
## Governor Nominees Call for Resignation
Democratic and Republican gubernatorial nominees both urged Beretta-Perik to step down.
## No Criminal Charges Against Chair
Beretta-Perik is not named in indictment and faces no criminal charges.
## Fraud Scheme Details
Perik allegedly diverted Pell grants through four for-profit entities between 2017 and 2022.
## College Closure Impact
Ohio officials allege scheme contributed to Eastern Gateway Community College closing in September 2025.
## Prosecution Claims
Prosecutors say Perik controlled enrollment and financial aid to maximize incentive payments.
## Defense Argument
Perik's attorney calls charges 'pure political payback' with no crime committed.
## Key takeaway

Rhode Island Democratic Party chair Liz Beretta-Perik resigned following her husband Michael Perik's indictment in a $20 million fraud scheme involving Pell grants.