RI House Leader Tied to Controversial Developer
Saturday, October 09, 2010
A GoLocalProv investigation has found that Rhode Island House Majority Leader Nicholas Mattiello has received campaign money from Richard Baccari, the developer tied to the North Providence corruption scandal and a controversial development in Cranston.
Mattiello’s Republican opponent, Jim Quinlan, has called on him to return the money. “Political leaders are expected to represent the best interests of their constituents, not those who have a history of lining the pockets of politicians in return for favorable support of lucrative deals,” Quinlan said. “By accepting contributions from Mr. Baccari, my opponent is showing where his true loyalties lie.”
State campaign finance records show that Baccari gave $300 to Mattiello in March 2010.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBaccari, the president of Churchill & Banks, was the developer of a proposed supermarket in North Providence. Three North Providence town councilors have been charged with accepting a $25,000 bribe in return for voting in favor of the development in February 2009. The attorney representing Baccari, Robert Ciresi, also has been charged with delivering the bribe, but Baccari himself has not been charged.
Mattiello thought development was 'good' for Cranston
Baccari is also behind a controversial Stop & Shop development that the Cranston City Council that was approved in 2009. Quinlan accuses Mattiello of "championing" the development. Mattiello told GoLocalProv that he did have a “casual conversation” with one or two city council members telling them he thought it was a "good project." But he said that was as far as his involvement went.
“The Stop & Shop will increase Cranston's commercial tax base, thereby reducing the burden on homeowners, and will create jobs for Cranston residents,” Mattiello said. “Any time we can increase the tax base with a sound company like Stop & Shop in an appropriate location, and put Cranston residents to work, I will support it.”
Quinlan is accused Mattiello of “doing business” with a “shady character.”
“As majority leader, my opponent should not be doing business with shady characters for his own political gain,” Quinlan said. “By accepting even $1 from a disgraced developer, it is clear that my opponent puts his political agenda ahead of the needs of hard-working Cranstonians. The state of Rhode Island needs solutions to our financial woes … not the same old problems.”
Mattiello: Opponent is an 'opportunist'
In his response, Mattiello portrayed his opponent as a political opportunist who is trying to distract voters from the real issues.
“This contribution was made to me in conjunction with a fundraising event I held on March 16 before any controversy arose about Mr. Baccari,” Mattiello said. “My Republican opponent is clearly trying to be a political opportunist because he has no positive ideas on how to help the City of Cranston or the State of Rhode Island. I am focusing on the economy, jobs, education and the state’s budget, which are the issues the people of District 15 are concerned about. My strong record of accomplishment on those issues speaks for itself.”
Mattiello did not specifically address the question of whether he would return the donation.
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