By WPRO News
An investigation by the state attorney general’s office finds there was no evidence that the head of the Division of Motor Vehicles had any criminal liability in “commercial sexual activity” at a building in Cranston that Walter “Bud” Craddock and his wife owned.
The analysis by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha was offered Monday in a seven-page letter to State Police Superintendent Colonel James Manni that looked at three separate criminal investigations at Craddock’s property involving suspected prostitution and a drug investigation between 2017 and 2021.
Neronha concluded that “there is ample smoke” regarding the critical issue of whether Mr. Craddock had knowledge of the criminal commercial sexual activity occurring at his building. However, applying the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard that applies to criminal cases, “there is insufficient evidence to establish fire”.
Neronha’s investigation began at the request of Governor Dan McKee last June, after police raided Craddock’s property at 1732 Broad Street.
McKee kept Craddock on the job as DMV Administrator, but called the case a “horrific issue”.
“We’re not going to sit silent on such a horrific issue. We’ll follow the leads where they carry us… and then we’ll respond at that point,” McKee said.
According to a spokeswoman, Craddock is not saying anything at this time.
