PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – A top executive with the operator of Rhode Island’s two casinos has publicly identified Gov. Gina Raimondo’s chief of staff as the aide who threatened “consequences” if they opposed a rival company’s 20-year no-bid contract to run the state lottery and video slots.
Twin River’s Marc Crisafulli told Senate Finance Chairman William Conley in a letter that the casino operator was initially reluctant to name Brett Smiley as the aide who made the threat.
Twin River wants the right to bid on IGT’s $1 billion contract to run the lottery and slot machines.
Raimondo, a Democrat, said Wednesday “absolutely no one” made any threats.
Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello in a statement said he was “deeply troubled” by the threat allegation.
The chairwoman of the state Republican Party called for an investigation.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press.
