Fenton-Fung Gets Late Financial Boost From Business Leaders and Unions in Battle Against Mattiello

There seems to be a growing consensus between some of Rhode Island's top business leaders and top unions.

A number of prominent executives are making late donations to Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung in her battle against Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello, according to her campaign finance report filed just seven days before the election. In the final report, Fenton-Fung raised about $15,000 and Mattiello raised less than $8,000, but he had a significant cash advantage with over $90,000 cash on hand to her $14,000.

According to campaign finance reports, Helena Foulkes, the former top CVS executive who last served as CEO of Hudson Companies, stroked a check for $200 to support Fenton-Fung. Gilbane’s Paul Choquette too.

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Foulkes has been repeatedly named by leading business publications as one of the top women in business in the United States.

Her father Bernie Buonanno, who chaired the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority, is the one who called for the investigation of Mattiello that led to a grand jury. 

In a letter signed by Buonanno and James McCarville, RICCA Executive Director, they wrote in part to James Manni of the Rhode Island State Police, “Given that we are already subject to an annual financial audit which is posted to our website and provided to the Governor, House of Representatives, Senate, Auditor General, among others, and that this most recent audit request was issued and then rescinded, the Convention Center Authority requests a formal investigation by the State Police into the nexus of this request, the motivation behind it and if any laws were broken in the process.”

Mattiello denied any involvement.

James Procaccianti of The Procaccianti Group and Steve Agnoli of Amtrak both donated $1,000 to Fenton-Fung. 

And, former AT Cross Executive Russell Boss added $200.

Lisa Holley, who served as chief legal counsel to the Rhode Island State Police, donated $250 to Fenton-Fung.

Unions also made significant late donations in an effort to topple Mattiello, including:

IRON WORKERS LOCAL 37 $500

CONNECTICUT LABORERS POLITICAL LEAGUE $1,000

MASS AND NORTHERN NE LABORERS DISTRICT $1,000

PLUMBER & PIPEFITTERS LOCAL 51 PAC $100

Editor's Note: Fenton-Fung is not related to GoLocal CEO and co-founder Josh Fenton

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