NEW: Washington Bridge Contractors Sent “Target” Letters by Investigators Wistow and Savage
Monday, April 29, 2024
GoLocal has confirmed with multiple companies who have worked on the Washington Bridge that they have received “target” letters from the team of Jonathan Savage and Max Wistow.
In early April, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced the engagement of Providence-based Savage Law Partners and attorney Max Wistow to lead the state’s effort to investigate and potentially recover damages from those involved in the failed Washington Bridge.
McKee made the announcement nearly four months after the bridge was closed due to a structural failure.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGoLocal has learned that combined the Savage/Wistow effort will be paid on a contingency of 16.66% of what is recovered -- the same amount Wistow was paid on 38 Studios litigation.
Target Letters
The target letters were sent to a wide range of construction and consulting firms that had worked on the Washington Bridge over the past few decades.
The target letter requests all materials be turned over to the state — similar to a simultaneous investigation now being conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Inspector General’s office of the Department of Transportation.
The difference is that the state's investigation is to pursue potential damages against the state.
In December, the westbound lanes of the Washington Bridge were closed due to a “critical failure.”
The crisis all happened during the tenure of Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti. He was named to head RIDOT in 2015 by then-Governor Gina Raimondo despite having no functional road or bridge-building experience.
Previous Investigations
Wistow led the state’s effort to recover damages from the 38 Studios debacle. In that case, Wistow pursued action not only against a range of companies but also against individuals involved in the failure of the gaming company created by former Boston Red Sox great Curt Schilling.
Wistow also served as special prosecutor and helped to recover approximately $50 million for the depleted St. Joseph's pension fund.
Savage has deep experience in business law and receiverships.
Savage Law Partners has eight attorneys in the construction practice group. The firm is run by Jeremy Savage, the managing partner. He is Jonathan's son.
He also served as the receiver for Landmark. That effort led to the stabilization of the northern Rhode Island hospital and is credited with saving 1,300 healthcare jobs.
Savage serves as the chair of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.
Related Articles
- Barletta, CEO of Company That Is Lead on Washington Bridge, Is Target of Suit From Brother Over $60M
- Washington Bridge Report: Bridge Danger to Gano Street, Decay Has Gone on for Years and Not Detected
- Barletta, CEO of Contractor on Washington Bridge, Arrested on Multiple Charges in MA
- McKee to Hold on Press Conf on Washington Bridge, Has Refused to Answer Questions About Contractor
- RIDOT’s Alviti Says “Let Me Tell You Something Pal” to Constituent at Public Meeting
- EDITORIAL: Tale of Two Weekends: Alviti on the Bay and the Carmona Family Surrounded by Contaminants
- 6/10 Contractor Piling Up Tens of Millions of Dollars in Change Orders - Despite Alviti’s Promises
- More Legal Troubles for CEO of Contractor on Washington Bridge - Cited for Leaving Scene of Accident
- Alviti Grilled on Identical Washington Bridge Reports From Different Inspectors
- Federal Investigation Expands on Washington Bridge
- What the Feds Demand Letter to McKee Admin on Washington Bridge Failure Tells Us
- McKee’s Office Refuses to Answer Questions About Alviti’s Status on Washington Bridge Failure
- Federal Investigator on RIDOT Washington Bridge Failure Also Investigated 6/10 Contamination
- Head of Federal Highway Is Visiting RI - He Previously Worked for Washington Bridge Contractor
- Consultant Advises Washington Bridge Must Be Torn Down, Replacement Cost $250M to $300M
- McKee Defends Alviti’s Lies, Gov Claims “Day of Accountability Coming” on Washington Bridge
- McKee Names Savage and Wistow to Recover Washington Bridge Damages
- McKee Misses Deadline of “Day of Reckoning” on Washington Bridge — Refuses to Answer Key Questions
- EDITORIAL: In McKee Land, a Fender-Bender Is Worse Than Breaking the Washington Bridge
- Latest RIDOT Washington Bridge Failure Fallout - East Providence Feast Cancelled
- Let’s Alleviate the Washington Bridge Chaos Creatively — Architecture Critic Morgan
- EDITORIAL: Should We Believe What McKee and Alviti Say About the Washington Bridge
- Developers to Bring New Whole Foods to Seekonk, Cite Market Opportunity Due to Washington Bridge
- RI Hospitality Association’s Singleton Discusses Washington Bridge Failure’s Impact
- Secretary Buttigieg Blames Washington Bridge Design From 1960s for Failure, Takes No Responsibility
- Changes in Leadership at Barletta, Lead Contractor on Washington Bridge
- Providence Moves to Place Weight Limit on Trucks Due to Washington Bridge Detours
- Editorial Cartoon: Alviti Unveils His Design for New Washington Bridge
- Under Alviti, Engineers Out - Projects Run by Interior Designer, Zoo Worker & Salesman
- Drivers Face Multi-Hour Delays, McKee-Alviti Scramble, Businesses Close, Holiday Parties Canceled
- EDITORIAL: Dirty RIDOT — Time for Alviti to Go (PUBLISHED 1 YEAR AGO TODAY)
- Alviti Admits “Complete Rebuild” of Washington Bridge Possible — Latest in RIDOT Bridge Failure