U.S. Attorney Now Investigating McKee Over Multi-Million Dollar Education Contract

U.S. Attorney Now Investigating McKee Over Multi-Million Dollar Education Contract

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee’s administration is now being investigated by the U.S Attorney for a multi-million dollar education contract awarded last year. 

The contract, awarded to ILO Group LLC, which was valued at over $5 million, had ties to longtime McKee political advisor Michael Magee Jr. 

The LLC was formed just days after McKee took office. 

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

“We’ve been made aware that the Attorney General is partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on the ILO review,” said McKee spokesperson Matt Sheaff on Thursday. “As we’ve said previously, we’re cooperating fully with this review.”

 

Latest for McKee and Contract

Last fall, McKee came under scrutiny for the contract — which ended at the end of 2021 — being awarded to ILO.

Rhode Island Secretary of State— and McKee Democratic gubernatorial primary opponent Nellie Gorbea — said the following on September 8, 2021. 

“I believe in making sure Rhode Island schools open safely and we safeguard the health of our teachers, students and school staff. I know that is the priority of all school officials. This multi-million dollar contract was awarded without any public discussion and vetting of the need for its activities. Creating companies in the middle of the night to win contracts for services that might already be provided by public sector employees is wrong. We must engage responsibly and transparently in how we spend taxpayer dollars.  But that transparency, concern for taxpayers and the well-being of our children took a back seat with the awarding of this contract,” Gorbea.  

“Gov. McKee took advantage of the system and gave an inflated contract to his friends. Plain and simple, this is cronyism and the people of Rhode Island deserve better,” said Gorbea.