Republican Lobbyist Named to Lead Superman Building’s Ownership Group
GoLocalProv News Team
Republican Lobbyist Named to Lead Superman Building’s Ownership Group
A Republican lobbyist has been named to head the ownership group of the Superman Building.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHigh Rock Development announced that Michael K. Crossen will serve as the manager of the company and oversee projects throughout the region, including 111 Westminster Street, the Superman Building.
His bio states in part, "He has an extensive Republican public affairs presence across the United States.”
He takes over for David Sweetser, who died last month.
Providence’s tallest building has been vacant and a community eyesore for more than a decade. Despite announcing a deal to rehab the building into apartments more than three years ago, the building remains dormant.
State and city officials have pledged nearly $90 million in subsidies, tax credits, and tax breaks. In October of 2023, Governor Dan McKee promised no additional taxpayer dollars into the project.
Crossen’s Client Made Global News
Crossen, according to Open Secrets, has had a number of lobbying clients in Washington and one that made global headlines. OpenSecrets “is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy.”
Crossen’s client was the firm Whitefish Energy Holding.
“Whitefish won a $300 million contract to help rebuild Puerto Rico’s electricity grid after the devastating Hurricane Maria in September 2017, even though it had limited experience in disaster relief and just a handful of employees when the storm hit the island. The deal was cancelled by the island’s governor barely a month later amid allegations of price-gouging and questions surrounding how Whitefish got the job,” reported CNN.
The company was not prosecuted.
"Critics zeroed in on the fact that [Whitefish CEO Andy] Techmanski lived in the same small Montana town as then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, and Zinke’s son had previously worked a summer job for Whitefish. Techmanski and Zinke have repeatedly said the secretary had nothing to do with the company winning the contract, although Zinke said Whitefish reached out to him after it was signed to get assistance delivering resources to the island. Zinke left the Trump administration in January 2019 after facing ethical issues," reported CNN.
GoLocal requested to speak with Crossen, and the interview request was denied. GoLocal also emailed Crossen at his law office, and he did not respond to questions. Crossen is a partner and business lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. The firm has offices across the country and overseas.
Crossen has also represented a number of healthcare interests. He wrote a blistering criticism of Obama's healthcare policies in 2018, when the Trump administration was trying to end the Obamacare program.
Crossen's piece was titled, "Obama-Era Administrative Overreach And Its Multi-Billion Dollar Adverse Impact On The U.S. Health Care System."
Under the Obama Administration, HHS Unlawfully Imposed Almost $22 Billion in Net Lifetime Regulatory Costs on Health Care Providers by Requiring that They Provide Voluminous Patient Health Records to Commercial Third Parties (Mostly Trial Attorneys) at the Subsidized, Below Cost "Patient Rate": HHS promulgated regulations in 2013 (the "2013 Omnibus Rule")4 and then issued sub-regulatory guidance in 2016 (the "2016 Guidance")5 that purported to implement the health record access provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA")6, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Clinical and Economic Health Act ("HITECH")7. HHS acted beyond its authority when issuing the 2013 Omnibus Rule and the 2016 Guidance.
As a consequence of this administrative overreach, HHS imposed more than $1.5 billion in annual costs (approx. $21.7 billion in net lifetime regulatory costs) on health care providers and their business associates, virtually all to the benefit of malpractice lawyers, without providing any benefit to the health care system.8 In fact, far from providing a benefit to patient care, the 2013 Omnibus Rule and the 2016 Guidance impose a lifetime burden of almost $22 billion on the health care system.
Crossen has donated tens of thousands to Republican candidates nationally and in Massachusetts. He has given thousands to GOP Senators Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, and the Republican National Committee, to name a few.
The announcement made by the Superman group claims that Crossen will continue Sweeter's legacy.
“Now more than ever, with the passing of David and honoring his legacy, High Rock is committed to repurposing 111 Westminster Street into a residential use that will help to address the housing crisis in Providence. David had a clear vision, and we plan on seeing it come to fruition. Much progress has been made this year on multiple fronts, which makes this situation sadder. We look forward to continuing to advance this iconic project and the acceleration of all efforts and activities as we enter 2026,” said Crossen in a press release.
“All of the pieces remain in place, and nothing has changed with the financing plan. This complex project will get off the ground and provide hundreds of jobs, housing opportunities, and a long-term economic benefit for Rhode Island’s economy. We want our partners, stakeholders, and elected officials to know we are fully and financially committed to this project. The work continues,” added Crossen in the statement.