Rhode Island Governor Avoids Charges in Controversial Contract Probe

Governor Dan McKee was found to have violated procurement rules but lacked evidence for criminal charges in a multimillion-dollar contract case.

Overview

An investigation concluded that Governor McKee intervened in awarding a $5 million contract to ILO Group, a firm with ties to his allies.
The Attorney General determined McKee violated state procurement rules but lacked sufficient evidence for criminal bribery charges.
The probe focused on whether McKee received personal benefits in exchange for the contract, which investigators could not substantiate beyond a reasonable doubt.
Key figures, including McKee and his chief of staff, refused to participate in interviews during the investigation.
The contract, initially intended to support school reopening efforts, faced criticism for being awarded to the higher bidder with political connections.