By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Republican candidate for governor Patricia Morgan says that if she is elected, she would hire former candidate and technology company owner Ken Block to identify waste, fraud and abuse in the Rhode Island Temporary Disability Insurance program.
“I’ve been in the legislature for eight years, I can tell you it’s been a front row seat to dysfunction, and I know there is plenty of waste, fraud and abuse for us to find,” Morgan said at a news conference at her Warwick campaign headquarters, which Block, the founder of the Moderate Party and it’s gubernatorial standard bearer in 2010 did not attend.
“He really has unbelievable cutting-edge information technology. Think of all the places government could use that,” Morgan said.
Block is founder and president of Warwick-based Simpatico Software Systems, Inc., whose website proclaims, “We help find tomorrow’s fraud TODAY”.
Block said in a Tweet that his offer to perform a no-cost waste and fraud audition of the TDI program has been made to multiple governors, adding, “I am not endorsing anyone for governor.”
My offer to perform a no-cost waste and fraud data audit of RI's Temporary Disability Insurance program is one I have made to multiple governors (including our current governor). I am not endorsing anyone for governor.
— (@KenBlockRI) September 4, 2018
Morgan said she did not invite Block to attend her announcement, saying that he would, if he accepts her offer, become a vendor to the state. However, in an invitation to reporters she said, “Another notable has stepped forward to help.”
Morgan’s primary opponent Cranston Mayor Allan Fung also released a statement Tuesday saying he’d utilize Block’s services if elected. “While four years ago we were fierce opponents, Ken and I have developed a friendly relationship, and I respect his tireless work. I know he is not endorsing anyone for Governor, and that his offer to help out in the field of TDI reform extends to every candidate, which I greatly appreciate. I’d actually bring Ken in on a greater scale, and look to use his expertise in fixing the UHIP disaster, which needs an all hands and minds on deck type of mentality on day one of my administration,” said Mayor Fung.
Morgan said incumbent Democratic governor Gina Raimondo has shunned Block’s offer to study waste in state government, and that former Governor Lincoln Chafee did not follow through on a Block study into waste, fraud and abuse in state health and human services programs.
Morgan’s announcement follows her offer to hire by executive order former Republican attorney general Arlene Violet to act as the state’s first inspector general, also with a mandate to root out abuses.
Morgan is facing Allan Fung, who was endorsed by the state Republican party, in the September 12 primary, along with businessman Giovanni Feroce.
