42K spent on judge's office renovation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - An expensive office makeover is sparking some major controversy.

Frank Williams stepped down as Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court last year but he continues to work as a judge.

Williams recently renovated his new office costing over 42-thousand dollars. The tab to renovate a workspace for retired Chief Justice Frank Williams has struck a raw nerve for some, in a state that’s fiscally sensitive.

"I take the responsibility. I'll stand up for what was done here any day of the week," says Williams.

According to invoices supplied by the Judiciary the biggest expense was the custom mahogany bookshelves which cost 29 thousand dollars.

"Look at the table and the chairs and desk I'm the one that directed used furniture, to go to the prison to be restored," says Williams.

Structurally, a wall was removed and an existing door was lettered and dropped in, plus, new carpet and lighting.

Tim White says," People watching this at home, you know there might be a teacher grasping a pink slip hearing this saying, gee that’s my salary that he’s talking about right there, what do you say to her?

"I say I feel sorry and no one has been more protective of his employees than I have. In fact this year we're returning $2.2 million dollars at the request of the house finance committee." says Williams.

Williams says he understands the anger that stories like this can generate, especially in tough financial times. But he defends the expense.

"I've got to have some place. You've seen the room, take the pictures. It's minimally consistent with the historic part of this building," says Williams.

Williams will use the office to primarily handle civil mediations. As a retired judge he gets a per diem of about a hundred dollars a day.