McKee Denies Wrongdoing in Award
of ILO Group Contract

The governor says Attorney General Peter Neronha should have recused himself

File photo. Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee said he has done nothing wrong.
File photo. Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee said he has done nothing wrong.
Ian Donnis/The Public’s Radio
Share
File photo. Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee said he has done nothing wrong.
File photo. Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee said he has done nothing wrong.
Ian Donnis/The Public’s Radio
McKee Denies Wrongdoing in Award
of ILO Group Contract
Copy

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee on Oct. 31 denied any wrongdoing in connection with the award of a lucrative contract to a politically connected firm, and he said Attorney General Peter Neronha should have recused himself from the case because of his support for McKee rival Helena Foulkes.

McKee spoke with reporters a day after Neronha released a host of documents about his investigation into the $5.2 million contract awarded to a new firm, the ILO Group, to help Rhode Island schools reopen amid the pandemic.

Neronha said he found that McKee directed the contract to the ILO Group in a manipulated process, although he said the evidence was too cloudy and contradictory to justify a criminal charge.

Speaking with reporters during a Statehouse news conference, McKee said the absence of charges — from federal investigators as well as Neronha — underscores that he did nothing wrong.

The governor said the attorney general “made unfounded and incorrect allegations that I violated procurement laws, even though he fully admits that it is outside the scope of his office. Let me set the record straight. My office followed procurement law at that time.”

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

The Rhode Island folk singer-songwriter embraces vulnerability, feedback, and collaboration in a workshop setting, turning solitary music-making into shared inspiration
Critics say the agreement compromises progressive values with concessions on gender policies and data sharing, despite securing major funding for workforce programs
Transit advocates blast governor for being tone-deaf during dark time for statewide bus system
The Barrington High School graduate heads to the University of Missouri to pursue her passion for storytelling and reporting
The former housing and commerce leader, known for high-profile economic deals and political bids, will need Senate confirmation to reclaim the post