PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha said Wednesday he released a damaging report that revealed Gov. Dan McKee’s direct involvement in the ILO Group scandal because the public deserved to know what had happened, even in the absence of criminal charges.
“The work that we disclosed yesterday demonstrates that there’s a need for in some cases like this to obtain the facts and share what we find with the public,” Neronha told reporters Wednesday. “The work that we did together was a public service, and the public can use it to whatever end they like.”
The rationale, however, is already facing criticism from multiple perspectives.
Some are expressing frustration with the attorney general for not charging the governor after his report showed McKee “personally and directly intervened” to make sure the consulting firm ILO Group got a lucrative state contract in 2021, despite a review panel’s recommendation that the work go to a different firm.
“Once again, we see Democrats protecting Democrats,” Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers said in a statement. “It’s the same, tired story in Rhode Island politics – a ruling class looking out for each other while the rest of us are left to deal with their poor decisions and self-serving priorities.”