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.”

The head of Twin River&rsquo;s casino operations in Rhode Island has publicly identified Governor Raimondo&rsquo;s chief of staff, Brett Smiley, as the top-level aide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20191027/raimondo-administration-denies-twin-river-was-threatened">who threatened &ldquo;consequences&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;if Twin River opposed IGT&rsquo;s bid for a 20-year no-bid contract.
Twin River&rsquo;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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20191021/settling-contract-fight-twin-river-to-pay-180k-fine-spend-twice-as-much-as-usual-on-lincoln-casino">involving a debt limit</a>.
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: &ldquo;Mr. Smiley&rsquo;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.&rdquo;

A collection of interviews,  press conferences and news actualities from the Newsroom of the Providence Journal, Providence, Rhode Island.

News interviews and actualities from  The Providence Journal

From the Newsroom: The Providence Journal

A collection of interviews,  press conferences and news actualities from the Newsroom of the Providence Journal.

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