Fallout from an investigation into a 2021 state education contract continues, with a new complaint accusing one of Gov. Dan McKee’s former advisers of flouting state lobbying registration rules. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)
Gov. Dan McKee appears to have staved off any formal complaints for his role in steering a multimillion-dollar state education contract to one of his former adviser’s friends in 2021.
The adviser, Mike Magee, has not.
Common Cause Rhode Island on Thursday announced it had filed a complaint with the Rhode Island Department of State against Magee for failing to register as a state lobbyist, despite “clearly and repeatedly” lobbying to help direct the $5.2 million school reopening contract to his friend’s firm, ILO Group.
The Dec. 17 letter to the state relies on several examples of Magee’s influence, citing findings from a state criminal investigation unveiled in October. The multi-year investigation led by the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General and Rhode Island State Police ultimately found insufficient proof to charge McKee, Magee, or other involved officials with criminal wrongdoing. But Attorney General Peter Neronha, maintained that the trove of documents showed “hamhandedness” by McKee and his advisers in the procurement process.