Silva Is Out as McKee's Chief of Staff After Weeks of Controversy

Silva Is Out as McKee's Chief of Staff After Weeks of Controversy

Long-time Dan McKee top staffer and close friend Tony Silva is out after weeks of controversy tied to his role in the regulatory review of property he owned.

Governor Dan McKee issued the following statement on the "retirement" of his chief of staff Silva.

“Tony and I reached a mutual agreement that it is in the best interest of the Administration for him to retire from State government effective immediately.
I thank Tony for his many years of public service as well as his accomplishments and leadership as Cumberland Police Chief, Cumberland Deputy Emergency Management Director, Director of the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles Administrator and my Chief of Staff as Lieutenant Governor and Governor. Right now, his situation is a distraction from the critical work we have ahead. I appreciate that Tony understands the need to remove the distraction to ensure we can continue serving Rhode Islanders effectively. Senior Deputy Chief of Staff Antonio Afonso, Jr. will assume the role of Chief of Staff beginning today.”

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On Wednesday, 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."

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."