The head of Twin River’s casino operations in Rhode Island has publicly identified Governor Raimondo’s chief of staff, Brett Smiley, as the top-level aide who threatened “consequences” if Twin River opposed IGT’s bid for a 20-year no-bid contract.

Twin River’s Marc Crisafulli told Senate Finance Chairman William Conley in a letter that the casino operator was initially reluctant to name Smiley as the aide who made the threat, while negotiating a settlement with the Raimondo administration over a contract dispute involving a debt limit.

Smiley declined comment when asked Friday if he had made the threat, which came to light during a Senate hearing the night before and, earlier, in a document.

Referring to a series of June 27 cellphone calls, Crisafulli wrote: “Mr. Smiley’s message was crystal clear: If Twin River opposed the IGT legislation which was being introduced that day ... we would suffer regulatory consequences with the State.”