Listen to “Twin River EVP Marc Crisafulli 10-31-19” on Spreaker.
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. He repeated the claims in an interview with WPRO’s Gene Valicenti on Thursday morning. Listen to the conversation above.
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.
