In December, Mattiello Sent Message to Convention Center Via Skenyon at Costantino’s Restaurant
Wednesday, March 04, 2020
Last December, Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello had a simple message to the Rhode Island Convention Center Board — back off his friend James Demers.
Demers, head of security of the Convention Center, was facing disciplinary action by the Convention Center's management company ASM Global relating to personnel issues.
On December 20, Mattiello’s chief of staff Leo Skenyon went to dinner at State Representative Greg Costantino’s new restaurant — Maria’s Cucina, located in the historic Italo-American Club on Broadway. Costantino is a member of a prominent Federal Hill family that has owned Venda Ravioli and other restaurants on Atwells Avenue.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAt the restaurant, Skenyon chatted with former Mattiello campaign consultant Ed Cotugno, sat for a time with State Representative Anastasia Williams and then was set to meet Rhode Island Convention Center board member Patrick Butler at the restaurant.
Multiple sources tell GoLocal that it was a festive night and the place was full of politicos just before Christmas.
Skenyon needed to relay a message to the Convention Center and Butler would be the messenger.
After all, Mattiello and Demers had a longstanding and special relationship that dated back years.
Mattiello, Demers, and Mattiello’s State House attorney John Manni are bound together through their sons' little league team dating back more than a decade ago.
Demers, who served on the Rhode Island State Police, was the coach of the 2007 Cranston Little League all-star team — a team that won the state championship but was beaten by Walpole, MA on their way to the Little League World Series.
Demers' son, who played on the team with Mattiello’s son, is now working for Mattiello at the State House. Garrett Demers serves part-time as an Assistant Clerk for the House Judiciary Committee according to State records. He earns $45,000 for a part-time job.
Skenyon’s Message to Butler
By the time Butler arrived on Friday night, Skenyon was ready with the message -- Demers needed to be reinstated or there would be trouble for the Convention Center. According to multiple sources, Skenyon's message to Butler was that the Speaker knew there were issues at the Convention Center — he claimed his friend Demers had told him.
Butler, a former member of the Providence City Council, understood the message.
Butler told officials at the Convention Center of the conversation -- but the Convention Center did not back down.
Simply, the allegations against Demers were too serious.
GoLocal first reported on Tuesday that Butler was served with a subpoena to appear before the grand jury.
Butler is one of a number of board members who will appear in the next week before the ongoing grand jury.
When the Convention Center would not reinstate Demers, the Mattiello-controlled Joint Committee on Legislative Services directed the State's Auditor General to move forward with an audit of the Convention Center.
Letter Makes Serious Allegations
GoLocal exclusively secured a copy of a letter by Amanda Marzullo Wilmouth, the Assistant General Manager of the Convention Center that alleged years of verbal and mental abuse by Demers.
“This letter will explain the emotional and mental harassment I have faced,” wrote Wilmouth.
The letter started with Wilmouth delineating her time working at the Rhode Island Convention Center, starting as an intern in 2000, leaving and returning in 2006 -- then meeting Demers in 2013.
Wilmouth said their relationship started as a friendship and then crossed the line into a “personal/intimate” relationship according to the letter, before their spouses were made aware and “we worked to rebuild a positive and trusting relationship at home.”
“Following the incident, it became obvious it was not going to be an easy path walking away from Jim,” said Wilmouth. “He began to be controlling, aggressive, and abusive both verbally and mentally.”
“Many times tried to explain myself to him and discuss moving on, remaining friends and it only made the situation worse, escalating his frustrations and in turn manipulating me and threatening me that he would ‘ruin my life,'" she wrote.
“He made it clear many times, that his ‘State Police’ way of doing things was the only right way, and that what we do here is insignificant and unimportant,” said Wilmouth.
Wilmouth has since reached a settlement with ASM Global and left her position at the Convention Center.
Harassment Outside of Work Alleged
“Outside of work in November of 2018, my daughter was at the Cranston Ice Rink for her weekly hockey/ice skating lessons. Earlier in the day we [Demers and Wilmouth] had had a disagreement, as well always did, when I would do something wrong in his eyes, He was extremely upset, and unbeknownst to me showed up at the ice rink and was staring me down,” said Wilmouth.
“I excused myself from the group of individuals I was standing with, approached him and begged and pleaded he leave….this was the first time outside of work he threatened me,” Wimouth continued.
She wrote, ”After 20 minutes of begging and pleading he left…this was the first time that outside of work [Demers] threatened me.”
“In December…there was a situation that occurred in Jim’s office that led to a discussion with HR for the both of us,” wrote Wilmouth. “For some time it worked, however, I became pregnant…after several months of complications, sickness, and hurdles, I told him I was pregnant and that did not go over well. I became angry, [he] called me names like an ungrateful b-tch, you’re sick, and how could you do this.”
In the four-page letter, Wilmouth cited multiple allegations of abuse by Demers, “I have fear in working Jim and knowing that if anything goes wrong, or there is a disagreement, he would become verbally abusive and threatening and it has created a deep anxiety and stress in me.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my actions over the past few years. This does not reflect the person I am and the character and values I possess. I have have been given an amazing opportunity to work for RICC…I would give anything for this place and would the opportunity to continue to do so and show you that I can represent our company with pride, dedication, and responsibility," she wrote.
Butler and Skenyon
Now, Skenyon and Butler are inextricably linked not just by politics or the Convention Center, but also by a sitting grand jury.
Skenyon, who has had a long political career and has worked for everyone from U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell to Governor Bruce Sundlun to Mattiello, was called before the grand jury last month. After his testimony, he told TV reporters while leaving the courthouse and a WPRI video captured Skenyon saying, “I answered all their questions to the best of my ability, but I can’t talk anymore about it.”
Those testifying before grand juries are free to discuss their testimony.
When reached, both Skenyon and Butler refused to comment on this story.
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