Schemes, Scams and Insider Plays - Biggest Investigative Stories of 2024

#7

Hub of Violence

A GoLocal investigation leveraging public records put a big dent in the Smiley administration's claims about safety in the City of Providence. 

GoLocal unveiled in detail the nearly daily acts of violence in Kennedy Plaza - right outside the Mayor's office window.

Ground Zero: One Providence Location, 11 Assaults in 23 days

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Incident Turns Violent as Driver Tries to Run Down Men, Crashes Near Kennedy Plaza

Woman Assaulted, Robbed of Sneakers in Argument Over $20 at Kennedy Plaza in Providence

Woman Assaulted in Kennedy Plaza - Brick Thrown at Her Head While Boarding Bus

Over 60 Juveniles Involved in Kennedy Plaza Fight: Student Arrested With Knife, 12 Officers Respond

Smiley Has a 4 Police Security Detail, Says Crime Is Going Down, That Is In Question

#6

The Plight of Rhode Island's Nursing Homes

GoLocal took a deep dive into the conditions and the public reporting of safety issues at Rhode Island's nursing homes. 

While many were living in conditions cited by authorities, some owners were living in luxury.

Two Worlds: He Owns Nursing Homes Hit With Fines & Lives in a $14M Mansion in Newport

The Dirty 18 — RI Nursing Homes Fined More Than $100K by Feds

INVESTIGATION: RI Nursing Home Rankings Fail to Disclose Crimes and Serious Violations

RI Nursing Home Is Site of Two Alleged Sexual Assaults, Previously Fined $124K by Feds

Nursing Home Owners Who Used Unlicensed Nursing Assistants Donated $40K in Political Contributions

RI Nursing Home Fined and Cited for Operating Facility With 9 Unlicensed Nursing Assistants

#5

Top Rhode Island Realtor Facing Legal and Business Actions

Kyle Seyboth is a top Rhode Island realtor, and as GoLocal first reported, the Attorney General is suing him and others for allegedly taking advantage of two elderly Haitian immigrants with limited command of the English language to swindle the pair out of their home for a fraction of its value.

Then, the leading regional title insurance company issued an "Agent Alert" regarding Seyboth.

Top RI Realtor Seyboth and Others Hit With Lawsuit by Attorney General

Realtor Kyle Seyboth Hit With “Agent Alert” by Leading Title Insurance Company

#4

Alleged Ponzi Schemer

Christopher Aubin has been charged with fraud and one man claims he is running a Ponzi scheme.

An ongoing GoLocail investigation has found that more than ten people are making allegations against Aubin.

Investor Claims a Rhode Island Company Is a “Ponzi Scheme”

More Legal Trouble for RI Marine Tied to Alleged Ponzi Scheme - Arrest and RISP Investigation

Alleged Ponzi Schemer Says His Lawyer - Former Speaker Harwood - Can Fix Things in Courts

Former Marine From RI Accused of Running Ponzi Scheme Sued in MA for Fraud

#3

Washington Bridge Investigation

GoLocal published over 30 articles and videos on the ongoing Rhode Island Department of Transportation Washington Bridge failure in 2024.

Here are five of the most-read stories:

EXCLUSIVE: Top Construction Executive Cardi Says RIDOT Was Warned About Washington Bridge

Firm Sued for Washington Bridge Failure Wins 3 RIDOT Contracts for $210M - Highest Bidder on Each

“It’s a Nightmare,” Says Neighbor Impacted by Washington Bridge Overnight Demo

Firms Sued by RI for Washington Bridge Failure Made Big Donations to RI Politicians

Developers to Bring New Whole Foods to Seekonk, Cite Market Opportunity Due to Washington Bridge

#2

The "Billionaire" Buying Up Newport

Nicholas Schorsch has been buying up a number of Newport’s institutions — restaurants, a brewery, real estate, and much more.

So GoLocal began to ask some questions about the man who has become a major player in one of the world’s leading playgrounds for the wealthy.

He started his career in Philadelphia and then moved on to become a significant CEO in commercial real estate. A true titan of Wall Street, but with each step, there were controversies.

His business associates include former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and former Salve Regina President Sister M. Therese Antone.

Schorsch is an accomplished auto collector and counts Jay Leno as a close friend.

Now, nearly 30 interviews later, and after reviewing hundreds of news articles and legal documents, it is clear that Schorsch’s story is very complex.

Who Is the “Billionaire” Buying Up Newport — PART 1

RI Senator Receiving $200K in Cash and Stock From Newport “Billionaire” Linked Company

PART II: “Billionaire” Buying Up Newport — Flying High on Wall St. to Allegations of Fraud

“Billionaire” Buying Up Newport — PART III: After NY Failure, Schorsch Makes Political Friends in RI

PART IV: Newport “Billionaire” Who Launched Audrain Museum Used Cars to Secure Millions

PHOTO: Ryan ELight CC: 3.0

#1

Organized Influence

In 2024, GoLocal published an investigative series, Organized Influence, an in-depth look into how billions of dollars of public monies are spent and how the process, as many told us, is manipulated to the detriment of Rhode Island’s transportation system and the state's economy.

The Washington Bridge closure is the outcome of the broken Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), and GoLocal unveiled the decade-long transformation.

According to dozens of interviews, sources, and months of research, what was revealed is the failed system is due to a series of factors.

For the second time in less than four years, the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating RIDOT projects.

READ PART 1: ORGANIZED INFLUENCE: Governor McKee and Armand Sabitoni’s Special Relationship

READ PART 2: ORGANIZED INFLUENCE - ALVITI: The Keys to the Scheme

READ PART 3: ORGANIZED INFLUENCE: Two Families Control the Laborers — Coias & Sabitonis