Two of Former Speaker Mattiello’s Favorite Lobbyists Dropped by Twin River

Two of Former Speaker Mattiello’s Favorite Lobbyists Dropped by Twin River

GoLocal has confirmed that two of the highest-profile lobbyists under the reign of Speaker Nick Mattiello have lost one of their prized clients.

Mark Ryan, a former Providence Journal executive, and former House Majority Leader George Caruolo will not be lobbying for Twin River/Bally’s during the 2021 legislative session.

Pending before the Rhode Island General Assembly is the 20-year extension of the Rhode Island lottery contract — a contract being exclusively bid on by IGT and Bally’s.

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In 2020, both Ryan and Caruolo were paid $5,000 per month by Twin River. 

In response, Twin River/Bally’s told GoLocal that they would not be returning.

"We’ll be making changes to our government affairs team - will let you know when fully assembled," said the company in a statement. 

In October of 2019, WPRO talk show host Dan Yorke said on air that the Providence Journal’s coverage of Twin River's effort to secure the state’s lottery contract was biased -- and was being influenced by Ryan, the former newspaper executive who is now a lobbyist for the casino company.

“The Journal is on the take,” said York.

Yorke said that the newspaper’s journalism and especially their editorials are tainted due to the influence of former Providence Journal Executive Vice President and Legal Counsel Ryan, who lobbies at the State House for Twin River. According to Ryan's bio, "He remains a consultant to the publisher of the Providence Journal Company."

The Providence Journal — now owned by Gannett — is desperate to protect a state law from the 1950s that forces cities and towns, the state, and many businesses to advertise in the “paper of record” for legal notices. Today, the newspaper’s circulation has dropped by more than 80 percent in the past couple of decades -- but still receives millions in forced payments.