Neronha Raised $80K in 4th Quarter of 2020 - Big Law Firms, Lobbyists, PACs & Marijuana Interests
GoLocalProv Political Team
Neronha Raised $80K in 4th Quarter of 2020 - Big Law Firms, Lobbyists, PACs & Marijuana Interests
Neronha entered the quarter with just $48,731.61 on hand and with the fourth quarter fundraising haul, he now has $126,873.04.
As a candidate, Neronha pledged, “As Attorney General, on behalf of the people of Rhode Island, I’ll make sure that all public officials, elected or appointed, serve the public, not themselves. The next Attorney General needs to have the experience and independence, and the will, to bring these kind of cases. As U.S. Attorney, I made public corruption our top priority, and we brought case after case against politicians who violated their oath.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTNeronha's Political Corruption Cases
Neronha has had two high-profile political corruption cases— including the prosecution of political consultant Jeffrey Britt, who was found innocent on two charges including felony money laundering.
And, a grand jury was impaneled by Neronha on claims by the board of the Rhode Island Convention Center that then-Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello had used his office to pressure the body, the board and staff.
Members of Mattiello's staff as well as the board of Convention Center Authority, as well as at least one member of the Convention Center Authority staff, were subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury.
In January of 2020, Mattiello had ordered the audit after close friend James Demers, who had been a security director at the time, was placed on administrative leave, after a top female executive at the Convention Center Authority reported harassment and abuse by Demers.
It is unclear if Neronha's investigation has concluded.
Law Firms and Lobbyists
Member of politically connected law firm Adler Pollock & Sheehan donated $4,050 to Neronha in the quarter, according to RI campaign finance records — they include:
Victoria Almeida $1,000, Nicole Benjamin $200, Richard Beretta $500, Alexa Boone $100, Robert Brooks $500, Mark Denehy $500, Geoffrey Millson $500, Richard Pandozzi, $250, Patricia Rocha $500, and John Tarantino $500. In the 2020 legislative session the firm had 16 lobbying clients.
Another top lobbying law firm, Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara, had 14 registered lobbying clients in 2020. Partners Bill Devereau $1,000, Matthew Lopes $1,000, William O’Gara $1,000 Gary Panone $1,000 and Regina Costa $100 gave a total of $4,100.
Other registered State House and lobbyists -- including in other states -- donated $7,750. Some of the highest profile lobbyists who wrote checks to Neronha's campaign include:
Christopher Boyle of his own firm gave $1,000
Lenny Lopes, The Victor Group $1,000
Richard McAufliffe of the Mayforth Group $250
Jefferson Guimond of Patrick Lynch $1,000
Patrick Lynch of his own firm gave $1,000
Gerald Harrington, Capitol City Group $1,000
Chris Vitale, Capitol City Group $1,000
Joe Walsh, Government Strategies $750
William Walsh, Government Strategies $250
Michael Horan, Horan Law Office $250
Wally Gernt of the Bradford Group $250
Political operative William Galvin and his wife Deborah each donated $1,000 — Neronha, in turn, utilizes Galvin’s firm for campaign support.
And two players in the emerging Rhode Island marijuana industry, attorney Jeffrey Padwa and James Griffin of the Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center each gave $250.
Neronha also received $2,200 from political action committees of which $1,500 was from the Laborers' International union.
The law firm Chisholm, Chisholm & Kilpatrick — a firm that is "known for its ability to handle complex disability, insurance, personal injury and wrongful death litigation, with a national reputation in the areas of veterans benefits, long term disability insurance, life insurance and ERISA litigation.” Members of that firm donated a total of $3,800.
Robert Chisholm $800
J. Scott Kilpatrick $1,000
Zachary Stolz $1,000
Mason Waring $1,000