Rhode Island Ethics Commission investigates state employees accused of bad behavior

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Ethics Commission met Tuesday to discuss alleged bad behavior amid state employees.

The Ethics Commission extended the investigation period by 60 days in complaints involving Gov. Dan McKee and former Department of Administration officials David Patten and James Thorsen.

One of the complaints involves a lunch that McKee had in January with a lobbyist for Scout — the lead vendor for the redevelopment of the Cranston Street Armory at the time.

The Rhode Island GOP filed an ethics complaint against McKee. The complaint says that Jeff Britt covered the $228 tab that involved McKee, Jerry Sahagian, his campaign fundraising chairman, and two Scout employees.

Mike Trainor, McKee’s campaign spokesperson, said the complaint was politically charged.

The Patten-Thorsen complaint stems from alleged behavior on a a business trip to Philadelphia.

Patten, who has since stepped down from his position as director of capital asset management and maintenance, is accused of “offensive and unprofessional actions” during the trip with his boss, James Thorsen.

The trip was hosted by officials of Scout.

Scout executives accused Patten of racially and sexually charged comments, multiple of which were directed at a female executive from Scout, in an email to the governor’s office.

Patten’s lawyer said the incident was an “acute stress event” connected to a health issue that has since been treated.

The Ethics Commission is also investigating a complaint the Rhode Island GOP made against House Speaker Joe Shekarchi.

The complaint accused Shekarchi of having a conflict of interest while pushing for and voting in favor of a bill in 2017.