EDITORIAL: Losing $75 Million Was Bad, No Justice in 38 Studios is Worse for RI

Sunday, July 31, 2016

EDITORIAL

Peter Kilmartin voted for the funding scheme for 38 Studios, Raimondo promised an independent investigation

Peter Kilmartin made a huge mistake. As Rhode Island’s Attorney General, he should have recused himself from the review and criminal investigation of 38 Studios.

Kilmartin was a member of former Speaker Gordon Fox’s leadership team. He was the third ranking member of the Democratic leadership team serving as Majority Whip for Fox. Yes, he had resigned his post just weeks before 38 Studios vote, as he geared up to run for Attorney General, but the alliance between Kilmartin and Fox was one of solidarity.

Kilmartin voted for the funding scheme for 38 Studios. He was compromised.

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While Fox oversaw the creation of the funding scheme for 38 Studios, his close ally Mike Corso made millions on a series of deals and fees. Millions of taxpayers dollars.

Now, late on a Friday afternoon in the dead of the summer, the outcome of “more than 100 interviews” and “thousands of hours” of investigation came to the conclusion that no one did anything wrong.

For a state that has yet to recover from the great recession and ranks poorly in most every economic measure, the announcement by Kilmartin — who had voted for the doomed legislation allowing for $75 million to be funneled to 38 Studios — will only serve to fuel more frustration and anger.

Cynics — and Cynicism — in the Eyes of the Beholder

Kilmartin in his press conference said, “To the cynics, no explanation will be sufficient. But at the end of the day, the bottom line is there is not enough evidence to bring charges against anyone. Bad politics, bad public policy, bad business decisions do not always rise to the level of criminal conduct.”

But Kilmartin’s decision not to recuse himself and insist on leading the investigation is what has exposed him to reasonable people concluding that this entire four-year process was less than unfettered.

Moreover, as a candidate for Governor repeatedly called for an interdependent investigation. Once elected she surrendered that stance.

Yes, many Rhode Islanders will walk away angrier and more frustrated than ever before by the scam of 38 Studios and the failure to create an investigative process that was void of the perception of favoritism and conflict of interest.

Yes, the cynics will have their day, but by not recusing oneself, the number of cynics will be far greater.

EDITORIAL: Losing $75 Million Was Bad, No Justice in 38 Studios is Worse for RI

Related Slideshow: Gordon Fox 38 Studios Transcript

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