Ethics Commission: No Conflict for Raimondo
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
The state Ethics Commission voted unanimously yesterday that state Treasurer Gina Raimondo had taken sufficient steps to avoid any conflict of interest between her elected position and her ties to a Point Judith, a venture capital fund in which the state has invested $5 million dollars.
Prior to her election, Raimondo served as a partner in Port Judith from 2001-2010. Back in 2007, the state entered into a 10-year contract with the firm. The investment, however, is a “passive” one, meaning that after signing into the agreement, the State Investment Commission (SIC) has no say in the fund’s ongoing management—making it highly unlikely that any matter relating to Point Judith would actually come before the SIC.
Since her election, Raimondo has taken a series of steps to distance herself from Point Judith. In addition to her resignation from all official positions, Raimondo has also placed all her remaining rights, title and interest in the fund into a blind trust. The trust will exist for the duration of her time as treasurer, and it is to be managed solely by a third-party trustee, without any participation by Raimondo.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Furthermore, Raimondo has also said that she will recuse from any matters coming before her office involving Point Judith. Upon her recusal, such matters will be handled by the Director of the Department of the administration, the ex officio Secretary of the SIC.
Related Articles
- BREAKING NEWS: Raimondo Makes First Appointments
- King Says Raimondo Will Lead RI Into ‘Bankruptcy’
- Raimondo on Creating Financial Independence
- Campaign Update – Raimondo Plans Financial Institute
- LIVE ELECTION UPDATE Raimondo Wins with Highest Percentage of Votes 11:35 PM
- Raimondo: Already Gearing up for 2014 Run?
- Chafee and Raimondo: Half of Appointees Are Lobbyists
- NEW: Raimondo to Answer Calls Regarding Unclaimed Property
- Raimondo: Democrats Prevented Second Great Depression
- Exclusive: Raimondo Releases First Campaign Ad
- Raimondo Beats King in Fundraising Race
- GoLocal Voter’s Guide - GT Candidates: Gina Raimondo
- Raimondo Expands Staff
- King Charges: Raimondo Violates Campaign Pledge
- Raimondo Explains Why She Won’t Release Tax Returns
- King Releases Tax Returns, Raimondo Won’t
- Raimondo Names Transition Team
- BREAKING NEWS: Raimondo Chooses Langevin Staffer to Be Spokesperson
- King Releases Tax Returns, Says Raimondo Refuses To
- Raimondo Releases Financial Information