Top Female Exec at RI Convention Center Says Mattiello Associate Demers Would “Ruin My Life”
Thursday, January 23, 2020
GoLocal has exclusively secured a copy of a letter by Amanda Marzullo Wilmouth, the Assistant General Manager of the Rhode Island Convention Center that alleges years of verbal and mental abuse by fellow Convention Center executive James Demers.
Demers, a retired Rhode Island State Trooper, is a close associate of Speaker of the House Nicolas Mattiello, who has intervened with Convention Center officials on Demers' behalf. Demers, Mattiello and State House attorney John C. Manni have all been close friends for years. SEE HERE
Common Cause Rhode Island Executive Director John Marion said that the recent announcement by Auditor General Dennis Hoyle that the Joint Committee on Legislative Services (JCLS) authorized an audit of the Rhode Island Convention Center -- without meeting -- could be in violation of state law.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBoth Wilmouth and Demers are on administrative leave as first reported by WPRI last week.
The Letter By Wilmouth Makes Serious Allegations
“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.
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 lead to a discussion with HR for the both of us,” wrote Wilmouth. “For sometime 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 bitch, you’re sick, and how could you do this.”
In the four-page letter, Wilmouth cites 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."
Presently, the building is managed by "ASM Global was formed in October 2019 from the merger of AEG Facilities, the global innovator in live entertainment venues, and SMG, the gold standard in event management. ASM Global is a venue management powerhouse that spans five continents, 14 countries and more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibit centers, and performing arts venues. "
Wilmouth's attorney Preston Halperin refused to give comment on the allegations in Wilmouth's letter.
Efforts to reach Demers were unsuccessful, but his attorney -- Manni told GoLocal in phone interview, "It is all nonsense."