Governor McKee Requests AG Neronha Investigate His Chief of Staff

Governor McKee Requests AG Neronha Investigate His Chief of Staff

The Tony Silva controversy has taken a new twist.

On Wednesday, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee requested that Attorney General Peter Neronha conduct an independent investigation into matters related to the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) wetlands application filed on behalf of the Governor’s chief of staff Silva regarding a property he owned.

McKee said in a statement that he has directed "all departments, including but not limited to DEM, to fully cooperate with the Attorney General and the Rhode Island State Police who will act as the investigative agency in coordination with the Attorney General."

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Blake Collins, a spokesperson for Neronha said, "The Attorney General spoke with the Governor this morning. The Attorney General also spoke this morning with Colonel Manni. This Office and the Rhode Island State Police are initiating an investigation of the matter of Tony Silva and the proposed development in Cumberland. There are no limits to the scope of the investigation and the scope of any investigation by this office is determined by the Attorney General. We have no additional comment at this time.

McKee said he has "requested the investigation out of an abundance of caution to provide full transparency and reassurance to the public and to ensure all information related to the application is brought forward."

Questions about Silva first emerged in a story by The Valley Breeze in July.