Sen. Jabour Calls for AG Kilmartin to Investigate URI, RIC Foundations

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

State Senator Paul Jabour will be calling on Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin to review the statutory authorities of the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College Foundations, in light of the recent decisions made by Governor Gina Raimondo to use both to fund governmental activities.

"I'm going to be sending [Kilmartin] a formal letter shortly," said Jabour, who represents District 5 in Providence and serves on the URI Foundation Board  "It will cite the statutory authority of each entity, and what they can -- and can't -- do."

Gov. Gina Raimondo's $7,000

Jabour had demanded that Raimondo return the $7,000 she received from the URI Foundation for a trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos (which she did when she cancelled her trip), and also introduced legislation demanding that the appointment by Raimondo of Richard Culatta to be Rhode Island's first chief innovation officer -- funded by the Rhode Island College Foundation -- be subject to General Assembly review as with other cabinet level positions.
"I want Kilmartin to say whether the RIC Foundation can -- or can't -- have that type of special arrangement as put forth by the Governor," said Jabour.  Source:GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle