This Exeter farm is the backdrop of a RI political fight – and it's for sale

PROVIDENCE – The backdrop for a political war between the Rhode Island GOP and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has hit the market for $10.5 million.

For sale: the 27-acre "Gerald's Farm" in Exeter, owned by former Trump re-election campaign chairman Gerald Zarrella.

"I just want to downsize a bit," Zarrella told The Journal of his reasons for putting the Exeter property – described by Sotheby's International Realty as a "classic Gentleman's Estate" – up for sale. He posted the news on his Facebook page.

Who is Gerald Zarrella, and why is his farm in the middle of an ethics dispute?

"Gentleman farmer" is one of many roles that the Democrat-turned-Republican Zarrella has had in his Rhode Island life.

He is perhaps better known as a prolific real estate developer, high-end house builder and a political power player with the juice to bring two presidents to venues in Rhode Island: Democrat Bill Clinton and Republican Donald Trump.

At this point, Zarrella says, the horses and chickens are gone, along with any desire to commit three days a week to maintaining what was once a working farm.

Also gone is any camaraderie Zarrella once had with past and present leaders of the state's Republican Party, whom he is suing for alleged retaliation after his highly publicized break with the party.

It's a convoluted tale that centers on the ethics complaints state GOP Chairman Joseph Powers lobbed against Shekarchi, the Democratic House speaker, about proposed 2017 changes to Rhode Island's "Right to Farm" law – which died in the Senate after passing the House.

Right to farm backlash: Former RI Trump campaign chair sues state Republican Party for retaliation. Here's why.

In his complaint to the state Ethics Commission, Powers alleged the proposed changes would have benefited Zarrella, a client of Shekarchi's law practice, by allowing him to host weddings and other events at "Gerald's Farm."

The complaint does not argue that Shekarchi – who was House majority leader at the time under then-speaker Nicholas Mattiello – played any specific role in advancing the farm wedding bill, or even that Zarrella was behind the legislation, but that Shekarchi's vote for it represented a conflict under the state Code of Ethics.

Shekarchi's lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on grounds the GOP has its facts wrong.

Most basically, they argue: there is no evidence Gerald Zarrella Sr. was Shekarchi's client while the legislation was before the House. "Around the time [the bill] was voted on in the House, Speaker Shekarchi's client was Zarrella & Associates, LLC...[which] lists Gerald Zarrella Jr., not Sr., on its filings," they wrote the Ethics Commission.

The GOP filing "further identifies a proceeding on behalf of Zarrella Development later in the year, but that was after the legislation had failed to pass."

Zarrella argues in his own lawsuit that Rhode Island's GOP leaders cooked up the ethics complaint in retaliation for his earlier decision to leave the party over "differences of opinions with the leadership … regarding party policy and direction."

Zarrella says he's OK now, but he believes "the rats" got together last spring and decided to "just go after Jerry. He just had a heart attack. He's not going to say anything [when] we go after Shekarchi."

Zarrella himself is suing the state Republican party

In his own lawsuit against Powers, former state GOP Chair Sue Cienki and others – including the Rhode Island GOP's National Republican Committee delegate Steve Frias – Zarrella alleges the ethics complaint the GOP filed last May is packed with "false and misleading information" about what he [Zarrella] personally stood to gain from the legislation.

Zarrella says he "was at no time a legal client ... [or] business associate of K. Joseph Shekarchi," nor would he have received any financial gain from the proposed amendment to the Right to Farm Act.

He said Powers and Frias "knew or should have known that The Gerald P. Zarrella Trust is the owner of property located at 1 Gerald’s Farm Drive in Exeter ... [that] was involved in litigation with the Town of Exeter," and that Gerald’s Farm, LLC operates the farm.

The controversy is playing out in two venues:

On Tuesday, the Ethics Commission is expected to vote to give its staff an additional 60 days to investigate Powers' complaint against Shekarchi.

On Nov. 20, a Superior Court judge is scheduled to hold a hearing on the GOP's bid for summary judgment on Zarrella's demand for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from GOP leaders for the "intentional infliction of emotional distress," attorney fees and reimbursement for all other costs related to his lawsuit.

But what if you want to buy a farm?

None of this is directly related to Zarrella's decision to put his farm up for sale while he spends more time in Palm Beach, Florida, and contemplates building another house on Block Island, and another in East Greenwich.

The sales pitch:

"This property is the epitome of elegance and refinement. Spanning 27-acres of meticulously manicured grounds, adorned with fragrant roses and flourishing apple trees, this estate presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," the listing on Mott & Chase Sotheby's International Realty's website states.

"The centerpiece of this magnificent estate is a grand 6,200 square foot main house. Boasting 4 beds, 3 full & 2 half baths. Inside you'll be greeted by a pool with a cascading waterfall and a mesmerizing fish tank in the grand entry foyer," it reads.

"The property is adorned with stunning split rail fences and stone walls, enhancing its timeless charm. A separate carriage house with an in-law apartment above offers a perfect space for hosting events or showcasing your car/boat collection. Additionally, a sprawling Amish-built barn, complete with a large outdoor firepit and a picturesque gazebo, offers endless possibilities for gatherings and recreation."

Zarrella said there have been more than a few nibbles.

Want more of our politics coverage right on your phone? Download our free app for personalized news alerts and feeds based on your interests.  

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: For sale: Exeter estate Gerald's Farm, at center of RI political fight