PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island’s governor and attorney general exchanged insults after the results of the ILO investigation were released on Oct. 29. “I’m happy to say that today is a good day for Rhode Island,” Gov. Dan McKee said. “For more than three years my office has been operating professionally and effectively while under the cloud of allegations associated with the ILO investigation.” The investigation looked into whether Gov. McKee steered a state education contract to the group because he had personal connections with its leadership. “I think the report speaks for itself,” Attorney General Peter Neronha said. “As we say in the report that the governor plainly interfered in the bidding process, and that evidence, from where we sit, can’t be seriously disputed. That’s what the report says, and I stand by that.” He added that, despite the evidence presented, McKee would not face any criminal charges. The governor then responded to the accusations, questioning whether they were politically motivated. “With an attorney general clearly and publicly campaigning against someone who is the subject of an investigation by his office, should that attorney general have recused himself?” McKee said. “Yes. Peter Neronha had an obligation to recuse himself.” Even though both are Democrats, some in the state believe Neronha may be considering a run for governor himself. McKee even noted Nehrona supported Helena Foulkes for the job in the last primary. In a post on social media, the attorney general called McKee’s press conference “dissembling” and said the governor should wear Pinocchio’s nose for trick or treating on Halloween. I’m only going to say one (two?) more things about ILO (probably) amid the Governor’s remarkably dissembling presser. This is incredibly insulting to the State Police. And if Gov is going trick or treating tonight he should wear Pinocchio’s nose. https://t.co/Bhg5aLoKLz — Peter Neronha (@PeterNeronha) October 31, 2024 “The fact of the matter is, the crux of the allegation was false,” McKee said. “You can’t prove something that is not true; you can make allegations. And today I’m very strong about the fact that this issue was a political issue from day one.” Categories: News, Providence, Rhode Island