RIPTA Defends Hiring Fung’s Firm for Lobbying

RIPTA Defends Hiring Fung’s Firm for Lobbying

On Thursday, GoLocal unveiled that the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), which is headed by Scott Avedisian, the former Republican Mayor of Warwick, had signed an $84,000 no-bid contract with the firm of the former GOP Mayor of Cranston Allan Fung.

Avedisian and Fung are long-time close political allies and friends. RIPTA had not previously employed a lobbying firm.

Cristy Raposo Perry of RIPTA issued a statement to GoLocal in response to questions about the contract.

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“In 2014, Governor Chafee signed the Quasi-Public Corporations Accountability and Transparency Act that empowers the board of quasi-public corporations, like RIPTA, to establish a wide range of policies.  Among those are policies governing Lobbyists’ expenses.  In November of 2014, the RIPTA board established policies along these lines which have been in place for several years.  Below is the policy it established at that time  related to lobbyists:

Lobbyists’ expenses.  RIPTA’s CEO, with consultation from RIPTA staff, may determine whether, and on what terms, to retain a lobbyist for the purpose of representing RIPTA before legislative and administrative bodies for the purpose of furthering RIPTA’s mission.

In this case, the longstanding policy was followed. The CEO consulted with senior staff and the Chairman of the Board and it was agreed to hire PLDO, an established, well-respected Rhode Island firm, to serve as RIPTA’s lobbyist. The firm’s role will be to assist RIPTA with legislative matters, including the implementation of the state’s Transit Master Plan and the new downtown transit center."

But, Perry did not respond to questions about why the contract was not publicly advertised.

Fung is a partner in Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O'Gara. The contract was awarded to the firm's lobbying company PLDO Strategies. Fung took a leave from the firm to run for Congress in 2022. He lost narrowly in a race for the second congressional district to Democrat Seth Magaziner.

The contract states, “This Agreement shall commence on January 1, 2023, and shall terminate on December 31, 2023, unless extended by the mutual written agreement of the parties. Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately if an act or omission by the other party constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.“

Further, the contract states, "The parties agree that the $84,000 fee for PLDO STRATEGIES's work is for the Session. The installment payments are a courtesy granted by PLDO STRATEGIES to RIPTA in order to spread PLDO STRATEGIES's fees for work during the Session throughout the calendar year." 

Scope of Lobbying:

(a) PLDO STRATEGIES will use its professional efforts to identify Rhode Island state legislation of interest to RIPTA and work to secure passage, defeat, or --· amendment to pending legislation of interest to RIPTA;

(b) PLDO STRATEGIES will also use its professional efforts to advocate for RIPTA's

(c) PLDO STRATEGIES will also use its professional efforts to advocate for RIPTA's interests as agreed upon between RIPTA and PLDO STRATEGIES.·

And, according to the agreement, "RIPTA will cooperate fully with PLDO STRATEGIES during this Agreement. Accordingly, RIPTA will provide PLDO STRATEGIES with relevant information, files, and documents that PLDO STRATEGIES may reasonably request in order to assist PLDO STRATEGIES to perform its duties under this Agreement. Moreover, RIPTA will make itself reasonably available to attend meetings, hearings, or other proceedings as needed."