UPDATED: Washington Bridge Contractors Sent “Target” Letters by Investigators Wistow and Savage

UPDATED: Washington Bridge Contractors Sent “Target” Letters by Investigators Wistow and Savage

GoLocal has confirmed with multiple companies who have worked on the Washington Bridge that they have received “target” letters from the team of Jonathan Savage and Max Wistow.

In early April, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced the engagement of Providence-based Savage Law Partners and attorney Max Wistow to lead the state’s effort to investigate and potentially recover damages from those involved in the failed Washington Bridge.

McKee made the announcement nearly four months after the bridge was closed due to a structural failure. 

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GoLocal has learned that combined the Savage/Wistow effort will be paid on a contingency of 16.66% of what is recovered -- the same amount Wistow was paid on 38 Studios litigation.

McKee said at the press conference announcing the appointment of Savage and Wistow that the two would have not be limited in their investigation.

Target Letters

The target letters were sent to a wide range of construction and consulting firms that had worked on the Washington Bridge over the past few decades.

The target letter requests all materials be turned over to the state — similar to a simultaneous investigation now being conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Inspector General’s office of the Department of Transportation.

The difference is that the state's investigation is to pursue potential damages against the state.

In December, the westbound lanes of the Washington Bridge were closed due to a “critical failure.”

The crisis all happened during the tenure of Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti. He was named to head RIDOT in 2015 by then-Governor Gina Raimondo despite having no functional road or bridge-building experience.

Previous to being named to head RIDOT, he was a mid-level staffer for the Laborers' International Union.

The impact of the RIDOT bridge failure has been that it has caused commuting chaos and economic damage to businesses both in East Providence and Providence.

 

Previous Investigations

Wistow led the state’s effort to recover damages from the 38 Studios debacle. In that case, Wistow pursued action not only against a range of companies but also against individuals involved in the failure of the gaming company created by former Boston Red Sox great Curt Schilling.

Wistow also served as special prosecutor and helped to recover approximately $50 million for the depleted St. Joseph's pension fund.

Savage has deep experience in business law and receiverships.

Savage Law Partners has eight attorneys in the construction practice group. The firm is run by Jeremy Savage, the managing partner. He is Jonathan's son.

He also served as the receiver for Landmark. That effort led to the stabilization of the northern Rhode Island hospital and is credited with saving 1,300 healthcare jobs.

Savage serves as the chair of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.

This story was updated at 6:20 AM on 4/30/24