(PROVIDENCE) – Twin River Executive Vice President Marc Crisafulli identified Brett Smiley, Governor Gina Raimondo’s Chief of Staff, as the person who threatened consequences if his company opposed IGT’s bid for the state’s contract to operate Rhode Island’s lottery and casino operations.
Crisafulli identified Smiley in a letter sent to Senate Finance Chairman William Conley. “Brett Smiley, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, is the member of Governor Raimondo’s administration who issued the threat on June 27,” Crisafulli wrote. “Mr. Smiley called me on my cell phone from his cell phone. He explained to me the details of the IGT legislation, including some last-minute changes that were made around the VLTs. He asked me not to go scorched earth and oppose the deal. He informed me Twin River would not receive anything directly regarding the VLTs. He then stated that the broader relationship between Twin River and the State is important, they are our regulator, they know we need their help because of the leverage ratio to grow our business, and they want to be helpful, but if we oppose the IGT deal they will not be cooperative with us.”
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Smiley issued a statement saying ““I spoke with Mr. Crisafulli several times over many weeks and never once made a threat. That is not how I conduct myself. The day the legislation was introduced, I gave him a courtesy call to let him know that the General Assembly was moving forward, but that the proposal did not include Twin River getting VLTs. He was not happy with that news and it was a tense call. I also told him the State’s broader relationship with Twin River is important and I hope we’ll find other ways to help them grow their business. It’s unfortunate that they would make this accusation months later at the conclusion of the public hearings.”
READ THE FULL LETTER BELOW:
