New Twist in Britt Case: Docs Filed by Neronha Show Key Witness Says Jerzyk Involved in Mailer
Thursday, October 01, 2020
A court document filed by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office unveils that according to Ed Cotugno, a consultant for Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello’s reelection campaigns -- both in 2016 and 2020 -- that Jeff Britt was not the only person involved with funding a controversial mailer in 2016.
Britt is the only one facing charges.
In 2019, Britt was indicted by a state grand jury on two charges — felony money laundering and a misdemeanor charge of making a prohibited campaign contribution.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe felony money laundering charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years.
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According to the filling this week by the Attorney General’s office, the office reinterviewed Cotugno, and new documents show that Cotugno said in a meeting in 2016 to discuss funding a mailer by Shawna Lawton in support of Mattiello, Jerzyk was involved in discussing how to fund the mailer.
“On September 28, 2020, Mr. Cotugno and his attorney Emili Viziri met with prosecutors and the RISP to prepare for his trial testimony. Mr. Cotugno recalled the conversation that transpired outside of Speaker Mattiello’s headquarters in October 2016 with Britt and Jerzyk, Britt had asked to speak with Cotogno. Britt indicated that they were 'trying to make nice' with Shawna Lawton,” states the document.
“Britt asked if Cotugno could make a donation to Shawna Lawton’s campaign. Cotugno responded that he would and asked when they wanted the check. Jerzyk and Britt stepped aside for a moment. They returned to Cotugno, and Britt stated they couldn’t have Ed write the check because he was too close to the campaign. Britt then asked whether Cotugno’s wife could write the check. Cotugno responded that he would ask his wife, Teresa Graham. Cotugno asked his wife that night, and Ms. Graham agreed to do it,” it further states.
Jerzyk, a top Rhode Island State House lobbyist and presently a close advisor to Mattiello, did not respond to request for comment.
Cotugno’s firm Winning Ways was paid $5,000 at the end of June of 2020 by the Mattiello campaign.
The trial is scheduled to begin on October 5.
Indictment, Britt's Lawyer's Response -- And Who Are the Players
At a press conference in October of 2019, Neronha pinned the mailer on Britt and Britt alone.
“Rhode Island’s election laws exist for a reason: to ensure transparency in our elections,” said Neronha. “They exist to ensure that the public knows the true source of funds used to support political candidates. They exist to ensure that the public can judge the motivation underlying support for a candidate. In short, they exist to ensure the integrity of our elections.”
READ ABOUT THE BRITT TRIAL PLAYERS HERE
As alleged in the Indictment, in 2016, the Republican primary for House seat occupied by Speaker Mattiello involved two candidates – Steven Frias and Shawna Lawton. Steven Frias defeated Shawna Lawton and was subsequently defeated by Speaker Mattiello in the General Election. After the Republican primary, in October of 2016, Mr. Britt met twice with Shawna Lawton to discuss the possibility that she support Speaker Mattiello’s campaign in the general election. Specifically, as alleged in the Indictment, Mr. Britt discussed with Ms. Lawton distributing a mailer endorsing Speaker Mattiello as well as funding for the mailer.
Subsequently, as alleged in the Indictment, Mr. Britt approached a person described in the Indictment as Donor 1 and requested that Donor 1 contribute $1,000 to Ms. Lawton’s campaign. Britt delivered $1,000 in cash to Donor 1 for this purpose. As alleged in the Indictment, Donor 1 deposited $1000 in cash into his personal checking account and shortly thereafter wrote a $1000 check from that account to the campaign of Ms. Lawton.
Ms. Lawton deposited Donor 1’s $1000 check into her campaign account, along with another $1000 check delivered to her by Mr. Britt. Ms. Lawton then provided Mr. Britt with a check drawn on her campaign account for $2150, which was used to pay for the mailer.
Ms. Lawton subsequently reported the two $1,000 contributions to the Rhode Island Board of Elections, including listing the source of one of the contributions as Donor 1.
“This is a matter of great concern, and I want to assure the people of Rhode Island that this Office will stand behind the the Board of Elections in its review and investigation of election and campaign finance law violations,” said Attorney General Neronha. “Simply ignoring the Board’s attempts to gain information, without legally justifiable grounds, will send a strong indication to this Office that the full investigatory weight of this Office should be utilized.”
After the indictment, Britt's counsel, former U.S. Attorney - Bob Corrente said:
Mr. Britt is disappointed in today's indictment, but, at the same time, he is anxious to clear his name at public trial.
We think it will become apparent that these charges should not have been brought -- and certainly not against Mr. Britt. Obviously, in the sometimes sordid history of Rhode Island politics, participating with others in raising $2100 for a campaign mailer, three years ago, is a pretty underwhelming offense. That's probably why the Board of Elections closed its investigation into the matter in April 2018, with just a warning to the Mattiello campaign. It certainly does not justify the State's overcharging this petty episode as money laundering when -- at most -- it might be a misdemeanor under Rhode Island law.
Worse, today's indictment unfairly singles out Mr. Britt, a contractor to the Mattiello campaign. We believe that the evidence at trial will leave Rhode Islanders scratching their heads about who did and who did not get charged, and will show that Mr. Britt was used by the Mattiello campaign as a fall guy. We are confident that the jury will see the set-up for what it is, once they hear the testimony from everyone involved.
