Mayor Rivera makes historical nomination to Central Falls Municipal Court
Judge Joseph Molina Flynn becomes first openly gay and first previously undocumented immigrant to sit on city’s Municipal Court bench
CENTRAL FALLS, RI (January 4, 2021) – After being officially sworn in today as the city’s first woman mayor and Rhode Island’s first Latina mayor, Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera is continuing to make City and Rhode Island history through her new appointment of Judge Joseph Molina Flynn to Municipal Court, confirmed tonight by the Central Falls City Council.
Mayor Rivera’s new Municipal Court appointment makes Judge Molina Flynn the first openly gay and first previously undocumented immigrant to hold this seat.
“Judge Molina Flynn has worked tirelessly to help Rhode Island’s immigrant community in any way he can. Bringing his incredible talent, knowledge, and experience to our Municipal Court is a huge win for Central Falls,” said Mayor Rivera. “Judge Molina Flynn has a deep and personal understanding of many of the unique challenges and hardships residents in our community face. With Judge Molina Flynn taking the bench, I’m confident that our city has an outstanding individual as our next Municipal Court judge.”
Judge Molina Flynn replaces Judge Elizabeth Ortiz, who was recently appointed as the first Latina to Rhode Island Family Court, an appointment Mayor Rivera helped advocate for alongside other Latino elected leaders in Rhode Island.
Judge Molina Flynn currently runs Molina Flynn Law Offices, an Immigration and Family Law practice in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Judge Molina Flynn is the former President of the RI Latino Political Action Committee and former President of the Civic Fund, and is a Board Member of the Latino Policy Institute, Rhode Island Latino Arts, and Rhode Island Public Health Institute.
“As a fierce advocate for the children, youth, and families in our community, I recognize and appreciate Judge Molina Flynn’s community commitment and investment, and believe he will be an excellent Municipal Court judge for our Central Falls residents," said Central Falls City Council President Jessica Vega. “I’m proud to be a leader in our city during such a historical moment."
Judge Molina Flynn immigrated to the United States from Colombia at the age of nine. He refers to the City of Central Falls as his own “Plymouth Rock” because, while he did not grow up in Central Falls, it is where he lived his first year in the United States. He attended the then-existing Broad Street School and participated in youth programs at Proyecto Esperanza and Progreso Latino. His family then moved, and he grew up in Pawtucket.
Due to his undocumented status, Molina Flynn dropped out of Shea High School and decided to seek employment instead. He obtained his G.E.D. at the Community College of Rhode Island. Once he obtained immigration status, he enrolled in the evening program at Johnson & Wales University where he graduated summa cum laude with an A.S. in Business Administration and a B.S. in Accounting. Molina Flynn then applied to law school and attended the prestigious University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He participated in the law school’s Human Trafficking Clinic for three semesters where he found his passion for helping vulnerable individuals. Since his return to Rhode Island, Molina Flynn has worked tirelessly to help Rhode Island’s immigrant community.
Judge Molina Flynn’s appointment to Municipal Court, as well as the reappointments of Housing Court Judge Robert J. McConnell and Probate Judge Bruce D. Sawyer were confirmed Monday night by the Central Falls City Council.
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