McKee releases federal documents requesting records on Washington Bridge
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Gov. Dan McKee’s office released documents that were sent by the United States Department of Justice and the Office of the Inspector General Friday requesting documentation on the Washington Bridge closure.
The DOJ’s Civil Investigative Demand said that it “concerns the allegation that false claims for payment for services and/or false statements in support of such payments have been submitted to the U.S. government.”
The first page of a federal request for records on the Washington Bridge released by Gov. McKee’s office on Jan 26, 2024. (WLNE)
“These payments relate to claims submitted involving the construction, inspection, and/or repair of the Interstate 195 Washington Bridge,” the documents read.
RIDOT shared this photo of critical pieces of the Washington Bridge in disrepair.
The documents request the state produce records including reports on tie downs and rods, invoices for contractors, documents related to inspections, and photographs of the affected tension rods, which were discovered by an engineer working on an adjacent project in December 2023.
RIDOT shared this photo of critical pieces of the Washington Bridge in disrepair.
The requested records date back to Jan. 1, 2015, and the deadline for the state to submit them to the U.S. Attorney’s Office is Feb. 26.
Spokesperson Olivia DaRocha released the following statement from the governor’s office:
“Today, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation was notified that the United States Department of Justice and the Office of the Inspector General is seeking documents and records related to the Washington Bridge. This is not unexpected, and the Governor welcomes the review. The Governor has instructed the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to fully cooperate. As you know, the Governor has directed his Department of Administration to hire an independent, third-party expert to review this matter as well.
Further, the Governor will be meeting with the engineers doing the work to get briefed on the situation directly from them.”
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation said that recommendations for next steps in the repair of the Washington Bridge aren’t expected until late February at the earliest.
Spokesperson Charles St. Martin said that RIDOT had begun “regular briefings with East Bay legislators” on Friday.
“On that call, Director [Peter] Alviti informed the members that he expects to receive the analysis and recommendations on next steps from the engineers by the end of February [or] early March,” he said.
Earlier in the week Gov. Dan McKee stressed commuters should have “continued patience” on their commutes affected by the repairs.
