Mattiello set to subpoena Schilling to testify in 38 Studios

November 20, 2015 5:40 pm

By Alana Cerrone

acerrone@abc6.com

@Alana_Cerrone

A subpoena is being written to call Curt Schilling to testify on 38 Studios. Speaker Nick Mattiello is set to sign the document soon, but people are questioning what kind of power, if any, it has to bring Schilling to the state.

Schilling has still not publicly answered questions about how and why the 38 Studios deal went wrong. Lawmakers are hoping this subpoena will get some answers.

The Oversight Committee looking at Rhode Island’s 75 million dollar deal with failed video game company wants answers, and they say Schilling is the only one who can give them what they’re looking for.

"He is the only one who has a perspective of the initial meetings, who he met with, what was discussed, who else was in that meeting, and how this all transpired," said State Representative Karen MacBeth.

Many are left asking if this subpoena will actually hold any power in making Schilling travel to Rhode Island from his home in Massachusetts.

ABC6 News Legal Analyst Ken Schreiber tries to answer that question, "The question is, how far does it extend? And it really wouldn’t extend beyond our borders."

Schreiber says that Schilling’s lawyers likely won’t ignore the subpoena, but will probably decline the request to testify because they’re in the middle of a lawsuit.

"While they have no problem in testifying at some point in time in the future, he is a defendant in a lawsuit," he says.

Schilling’s attorney has already declined an invitation to testify earlier this month, citing the same reason. Schreiber pointed out that there is no past precedent here–a Rhode Island Speaker has never before issued a subpoena, but the Committee Chairwoman says they are not giving up.

"It also sends the message that if you come to Rhode Island, we will be ready and you will be subpoenaed and we want you here," says MacBeth.

The committee says this is just the first of several subpoenas they plan to issue. They also want to talk to former 38 Studios Attorney Michael Corso.