PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The Latest on the resignation of Rhode Island House Finance Committee Chairman Raymond Gallison (all times local):
6:15 p.m.
Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello says he doesn’t believe the alleged wrongdoing that has led to the resignation of a powerful House lawmaker extends into the State House.
Mattiello told reporters Tuesday evening that he met former House Finance Chairman Raymond Gallison on Sunday at a Newport Creamery restaurant, where they both agreed that Gallison should resign.
Mattiello says the fellow Democrat confided to him that he’s under federal investigation for personal financial problems but didn’t get into details.
The speaker says he has no reason to believe other lawmakers are involved in the federal probe or that the allegations involve Gallison’s work as a legislator. Mattiello says he hasn’t been contacted by law enforcement.
Mattiello has appointed state Newport Democratic Rep. Marvin Abney as the new finance chairman.
___
4:35 p.m.
Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello has told the House that Finance Committee Chairman Raymond Gallison has resigned amid a federal investigation into what he called personal legal problems.
Mattiello on Tuesday said he doesn’t know the details of what his fellow Democrat is alleged to have done, but he says he is outraged.
Gallison’s lawyer, Anthony Traini (TRAY’-nee), would not comment on why he resigned.
Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo declined to say whether she’s been briefed on any details when asked by reporters about Gallison on Tuesday. She spoke generally about how dishonesty in public officials is unacceptable.
She referred questions to State Police Col. Steven O’Donnell, who also wouldn’t comment.
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office would not comment.
___
2 p.m.
The chairman of the powerful House finance committee has resigned, but his lawyer won’t say why.
Anthony Traini (TRAY’-nee), a lawyer for Democratic Rep. Raymond Gallison, said Tuesday that Gallison has resigned his seat and with it, his chairmanship. He wouldn’t comment on the reason.
Gallison had represented Bristol and Portsmouth since 2000.
Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo declined to say whether she’s been briefed on any details when asked by reporters about Gallison on Tuesday. She spoke generally about how dishonesty in public officials is unacceptable.
She referred questions to State Police Col. Steven O’Donnell, who also wouldn’t comment.
Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello has scheduled a closed-door Democratic caucus meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
Gallison became finance chairman in 2014 after House Speaker Gordon Fox resigned amid a criminal probe.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.