Confusion Reigns in Gov.’s Office, Raimondo Refuses to Release 38 Studios Docs
Friday, September 23, 2016
In yet another twist in 38 Studios, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo seems unable or unwilling to answer direct questions about her powers as Governor relating to oversight of the Rhode Island State Police. Even more bizarre, Raimondo’s press secretary did not acknowledge that the Attorney General and State Police have ended their four-year criminal investigation into 38 Studios nearly two months ago
Raimondo was asked again on Thursday by GoLocal why she has not instructed the State Police to release their interview notes from the now-concluded criminal investigation. When tracked down at a press event, Raimondo repeatedly responded to questions about why she has not asked or ordered the State Police to release the documents by speaking to the grand jury process. The two issues are unrelated.
Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation concluded their investigation into former Secretary of State and now Democratic nominee for President Hillary Clinton relating to the the use of email. Within weeks of the announcement that the FBI would not move forward with criminal indictments, the agency released the interview transcripts and notes.
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The Grand Jury ran for eighteen months from December of 2013 to July of 2015 — the most allowed by court rule, according to Kilmartin.
Confusion in the Governor’s Office
David Ortiz, Press Secretary to Raimondo emailed GoLocal, “Additionally, in recent weeks, the Governor has asked the State Police to review the documents to see if anything can be released sooner without interfering with its criminal investigation.” Ortiz seemed unaware that grand jury process and the active investigation had ended.
Efforts to get clarification from the Governor’s office were met with silence.
Governor’s Claim False
On Thursday, Raimondo reaffirmed the claim that she was "against the deal from the beginning," but her claim in 2014 that she battled the deal from the get-go was proven to be “mostly false,” according to an analysis by Politifact.
Additionally, in recent weeks, the Governor has asked the State Police to review the documents to see if anything can be released sooner without interfering with its criminal investigation. Raimondo has also been criticized from promising as a candidate to conduct and independent investigation if elected and then reversing once elected.
Moreover, under her administration, the State Police participated in the investigation led by Kilmartin and then more recently, Raimondo said that Kilmartin should have recused himself, when it was known all along that Kilmartin had been the number three in the House leadership and also voted for the legislation creating the financing scheme that funded the $75 million to 38 Studios.
GoLocal's attorney Tom Dickinson on Thursday filed an appeal on the State Police’s denial to release the 38 Studios criminal interviews and RISP interview notes. READ HERE.
