Reactions have been swift to news that Former House Speaker Gordon Fox pleaded guilty to three felony charges.
The charges include one count of bribery and one count of misusing campaign funds.
Rhode Island Public Radio’s Elisabeth Harrison reports on reaction from both sides of the aisle.
Calling it a “sad chapter” in Rhode Island Politics, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said in a brief statement, “there is no place for public corruption.”
A Democrat, Mattiello took over after Fox resigned as speaker, following raids on his home and Statehouse office.
Mattiello concluded his written remarks saying the House will “move forward and focus on the needs of the state.”
Governor Gina Raimondo, also a Democrat, said this is a sad day for Rhode Island, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
“These events are deeply troubling, and we owe it to the citizens of Rhode Island to do better,” Raimondo said.
State Republican Party Chairman Mark Smiley echoed Mattiello, with a written statement saying this marks the end of a corrupt chapter. Smiley added that Fox is one in a long line of Rhode Island politicians accused of wrongdoing.
“Let us remember that this is just a chapter, however, in a book of corruption.” Smiley wrote, adding it’s a book “with Democratic incumbents as the main characters.”
