When Golfing With Union Boss, McKee Says He Pays His Own “Green Fees” But Won’t Provide Proof

When Golfing With Union Boss, McKee Says He Pays His Own “Green Fees” But Won’t Provide Proof

For days, Governor Dan McKee’s office refused to answer questions about the financial arrangements when he golfs with union boss Armand Sabitoni.

On Thursday, GoLocal published an investigation story entitled “ORGANIZED INFLUENCE: Governor McKee and Armand Sabitoni’s Special Relationship."

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The investigation details how Armand Sabitoni’s Laborers’ International union funneled $600,000 through an independent expenditure mechanism to support McKee’s narrow victory in the 2022 Democratic primary over Helena Foulkes — the margin was just 3,357 votes.

A critical element of the relationship between McKee and Armand Sabitoni is golf. 

The golfing fees are a minor issue in comparison to the questions emerging about the management of the RIDOT and the failure of the Washington Bridge, and that the agency is now under its second federal investigation in the past three years. 

 

McKee: "We Don't Have Documentation" 

GoLocal News Editor caught up with Governor Dan McKee on Thursday and asked him about his golfing relationship with Armand Sabitoni and a simple question: Who pays?

“I just said if I needed to pay for green fees, I paid for green fees,” said McKee.

When asked by Nagle if his office could provide documentation, McKee said, “We don’t have documentation, the fact of the matter is I know, I understand that if I need to pay for green fees and that was done.”

The lack of documentation seems unusual as the governor's office and McKee's campaign are required to track all expenses.

McKee took exception when Nagle asked about the Governor playing Sabitoni in Florida.

“You're getting very personal here,” said McKee.

Nagle responded, “This is access to the governor by a top labor leader.’

McKee said, “Well, I did have one round of golf with Armand in Florida.”  

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission in 2019 imposed a "civil fine" of $250 on then- Lt. Gov. McKee, for violating the ethics codes when he failed to list his 2017 trip to Taiwan on his disclosure report as required.

More recently, McKee was cleared by the Ethics Commission of a complaint filed by the RI GOP regarding a lobbyist lunch at the Capital Grille.

 

Part II of "Organized Influence" is scheduled to be published on Tuesday.

READ PART I HERE