McKee staffer accused of inappropriate behavior resigns

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The staffer from Gov. Dan McKee’s administration who was accused of inappropriate conduct while on a business trip resigned Thursday.

David Patten stepped down from his position as director of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance in the Department of Administration, his attorney Michael Lynch said.

Patten was accused in an email of “offensive and unprofessional actions” during a trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The email came from Scout, the preferred vendor to revitalize the vacant Cranston Street Armory, who Patten and former Director of Department of Administration James Thorsen met with.

The alleged instances included racially and sexually charged comments, multiple of which were directed at a female executive from Scout.

Lynch said Patten maintains the incident was an “acute stress event” and was the culmination of three years of a stress-related health issue that has been treated.

Patten also apologized to the residents of both Rhode Island and Philadelphia, and said that none of his comments were intentional.

“Mr. Patten does not want to prolong the distraction nor engage in what could be a long, expensive and litigious fight for all parties,” Lynch said was the reason Patten stepped down.

McKee also released a statement, saying that he called for Patten’s resignation after investigations found his conduct to be unacceptable.

“As a result of its [human resources] investigation, the state was prepared to move forward with disciplinary proceedings which would include a legally required personnel hearing process,” spokesman Matthew Sheaff said. “That process could have extended well beyond Mr. Patten’s resignation date of June 30, resulting in a continuation of his paid administrative leave at a cost to taxpayers.”