
593 A.2d 1342 (1991)
John DeCECCO
v.
The STATE of Rhode Island et al.
No. 90-385-M.P.
Supreme Court of Rhode Island.
June 28, 1991.
David A. Schechter, Howard M. Myers, Law Offices of David A. Schechter, Providence, Thomas Tarro, III, Warwick, for plaintiff.
Ellen Evans Alexander, Sp. Asst. Atty. Gen., Providence, for defendants.

OPINION
KELLEHER, Justice.
This litigation arises from a request for an advisory opinion by Chief Judge Francis J. Boyle of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. The request is made pursuant to Rule 6 of the Supreme Court Rules of Appellate Procedure.
In 1981 the plaintiff, John DeCecco (DeCecco), was appointed by then-Governor J. Joseph Garrahy to the post of deputy high sheriff for Providence County for a ten-year period beginning in March 1981 and terminating in June 1991. However, in lateAugust 1989 the then-Governor Edward D. DiPrete attempted to terminate DeCecco's employment for alleged misconduct that conflicted with DeCecco's law-enforcement responsibilities. Consequently, on October 3, 1989, Governor DiPrete notified DeCecco that he was contemplating removing DeCecco from his position as deputy high sheriff "for the good of the service." The Governor's communication contains certain allegations, most of which relate to DeCecco's alleged associations with known organized-crime figures. The Governor's letter also scheduled a meeting between DeCecco and the Governor's deputy chief of staff, at which time DeCecco was afforded the opportunity to discuss and to refute the allegations.
Although DeCecco appeared with his attorneys at that meeting, he refused to respond or to participate except to deny his partial ownership in a North Providence restaurant. On October 10, 1989,