The U.S. Department of Justice put RI officials on notice that they are under investigation for 'affirmative action' hiring.

The DOJ said the state's hiring process may be discriminatory.

Attorney General Peter Neronha has not responded to the letter.

The U.S. Department of Justice says it is investigating Rhode Island state government and its "affirmative action policies" for potential employment discrimination.

The investigation seeks to determine whether the state "engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race or any other protected characteristic," according to a June 4 letter from Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha .

"Our investigation is based on information that Rhode Island may be engaged in e

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