R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-9-9
Except as indicated in § 30-9-8, the value of the public funds or public property lost, damaged, destroyed, or unreturned, in an amount to be determined by a surveying officer, to be appointed by the governor, shall be charged against the person at fault and it shall be an indebtedness from that person to the state. If any person at fault, or his or her surety if any, shall fail to pay the full value of the lost, damaged, destroyed, or unreturned funds or property, the adjutant general may deduct the amount due from any pay or allowances due, or to become due, if any, to that person and the attorney general of the state, upon request of the adjutant general, shall bring such action or actions, in the name of the people of the state, in any court of competent jurisdiction, as may be necessary to recover from that person, or his or her surety, if any, the amount of the indebtedness or any balance remaining unpaid.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-9-9