Former State Property Director to Pay $5,000 in Settlement With RI Ethics Commission

Former State Property Director to Pay $5,000 in Settlement With RI Ethics Commission

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission on Tuesday voted to approve a $5,000 settlement fine with former state properties director David Patten $5,000 for his role with officials on a trip to Philadelphia last spring.

Patten had traveled with former Rhode Island Department of Administration Jim Thorsen and othesr to visit a facility redeveloped by Scout, Ltd. — a now-former state contractor. 

Last June, the Ethics Commission voted to investigate both Patten and Thorsen; Rhode Island Attorney General ordered Governor Dan McKee to release a damning email from Scout officials alleging inappropriate conduct on the trip. 

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The focus of the ethics investigation came down to alleged financial violations, however, including a meal provided by Scout.

“Mr. Patten has always apologized for the events that occurred. He’s been able to come to a resolution with the ethics commission,” said Patten’s attorney Michael Lynch on Tuesday, for what he said was “the result of an unfortunate medical event and medical crisis that occurred.”

“He has received the treatment that he needed,” Lynch added. “This is a long and expensive process.”

“He agreed to pay a particular fine,” said Lynch of the $5,000 fine. 

Thorsen chose not to settle with the ethics commission, who announced Tuesday they found probable cause that he had violated three parts of the state’s ethics code as it pertained to gifts.

An administrative hearing will be held for his case at a future date. 

“It was a difficult trip, and we’ll have more to say on that later,” said Thorsen.