Dismissal filed in Rep's assault case

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The Rhode Island Attorney General's office has filed a notice of dismissal in the sexual assault case against Rep. John Carnevale after the alleged victim in the case, suddenly passed away.

The woman who accused State Rep. John Carnevale of sexual assault died of a "massive bilateral pulmonary thromoembolism" on January 1st, according to the state medical examiners office.

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of arteries, according to Annemarie Beardsworth, spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Public Health.

Carnevale's attorney William Dimitri tells Eyewitness News that he's been in contact with the AG's office for the past week and a half - and says the decision does not come as a surprise.

Sources say the case centered on the woman’s testimony and was thin on other evidence.

Dimitri says Rep. Carnevale is relieved and wants to get on with his life and move on.

Carnevale, 50, of Providence, pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in July. 

In a police report, the woman said she knew Carnevale from his days on the Providence police force and said he assaulted her at her Johnston apartment.