NEW: Mollis Questions McKee’s 38 Studios Connections

Thursday, July 31, 2014

GoLocalProv Politics Team

 

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Ralph Mollis

Secretary of State Ralph Mollis has issued the following statement in response to Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor connections to 38 Studios.

McKee has called for an independent investigation of 38 Studios in a letter.

See Mollis' statement below:

“McKee’s letter is nothing more than another politically motivated act by a desperate candidate whose campaign has done nothing but sling mud and talk about everything except why he wishes to be the next Lt. Governor.

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First, as far as an independent investigation into 38 Studios is concerned, I have the utmost confidence in the R.I. State Police, Department of Attorney General, and the U.S. Attorney here in Rhode Island.  To suggest that they can’t, or shouldn’t conduct this investigation, but instead hire another entity to do the same at taxpayers’ expense, is nothing more than a politically motivated insult that McKee should be embarrassed to suggest.

As Mayor Dan McKee criticizes everyone from law enforcement, to the Attorney General, to the Secretary of State, he needs to look to his own relationship with people at the center of the 38 Studios controversy."

38 Connections Questioned

Mollis cited the law firm Moses Afonso Ryan LTD regarding McKee's connections to 38 Studios:

"The law firm that advised the state that 38 Studios was a good deal and has now agreed to pay in excess of $4,000,000 as a settlement also:

-Contributed thousands of dollars in contributions from its PAC and members to Dan McKee’s campaign.

-Is the same firm Dan McKee hires to lobby at the State House on behalf of his Mayoral Academies.

-Is the same firm who rents office space to his Mayoral Academy’s administrative offices in Providence.

-Is the same firm whose former Partner is now McKee’s Director of Planning in Cumberland.

-Is the same firm that Dan McKee has retained to perform Bond Work and Zoning Work for the Town of Cumberland.

As far as the role of the Office of the Secretary of State is concerned, I will continue in my efforts to uncover any lobbying violations that may have occurred during the 38 Studios bond issuance. I will not let anyone’s political motivations interfere with the legal responsibilities designated to the Office of the Secretary of State.  And I want to reiterate in response to Dan McKee’s call, that I have complete confidence in the R.I. State Police, R.I. Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney.”

 

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