Rhode Island House Speaker resigning after fed and state police raid
Gordon Fox steps down after boxes of evidence carried out of his office and home.
The most powerful politician in my former home State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is not the Governor.
It’s the Speaker of the House.
And Mr. Speaker, Gordon Fox, is stepping down as Speaker after the feds and state police raided his office and home yesterday.
On the day after state and federal investigators raided his State House office and home, House Speaker Gordon D. Fox has announced his intention to resign as speaker.
He issued this statement:
“The Rhode Island House of Representatives is an institution that I deeply respect and serving my constituents has been a major part of my life for the past 22 years. I will not let yesterday’s events distract my colleagues from addressing the challenges facing Rhode Island.”
“Because of the respect I have for all members of the House of Representatives, I am resigning as Speaker. The process of governing must continue and the transition of leadership must be conducted in an orderly manner.”
“I want to thank my colleagues and loyal staff for all that we were able to accomplish together. I will continue to serve out the remainder of my term and represent my neighbors and constituents in District 4. That said, I do not intend to seek another term in the House.”
“My personal focus going forward will be on my family and dealing with the investigation. Because of the nature of this matter, I will not be commenting further.”
Corruption runs deep in my former homeland. Remember Buddy Cianci, convicted of running a criminal enterprise, namely, Providence City Hall?
There have been rumors of Fox being involved in sweetheart deals benefitting his law firm for years.
Radio host John DePetro throws out this tantalizing connection between Fox and Congressman David Cicilline :
Sources say the main focus of the probe stems from loans and the Providence Economic Partnership Development. The mayor at the time was David Cicilline and the attorney was Josh Teverow. It raised a few eyebrows when there was talk of payments in cash, unreported income, and fake addresses. Is Cicilline the target? Unknown and he is silent. Is Teverow involved? Unknown and he is not talking.
I guess we’ll find out sooner or later is he was a crook. And who else is going down with him. Or ratted him out already.
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Comments
Well.
This will be interesting to watch.
Developing… As they say.
RI pols always seems to be competing with neighboring MA pols in amassing political power and influence. The difference may be in MA the corrupt elected class gets away with it much more often. Just ask Howie Carr…
R.I. is coming along, but it’s hard to top the trifecta of three convicted felon speakers in a row here in Mass.
Howie Carr is a riot on this subject. I loved it when “Felon Finneran” (Howie’s term) had the morning show at WRKO while Howie had the afternoon. Howie was merciless — not that Tom deserved any mercy.
The difference between MA and RI is, in MA most gangsters have a “friend” in the government, in RI most gangsters are in the government.
gee was I surprised to see he is a Democrat.
Yes, that is rather surprising, isn’t it?
If Obama’s DoJ went after him either he’s such a crook that they couldn’t avoid it, or he didn’t jump high enough when Obama said “frog.”
… or the DOJ would cloud the issue by putting a damper on communications because of the “ongoing investigation”
But…but…but…..I thought Dems were all altruists looking our for the common man, not themselves. I’m shocked, I tell you, shocked!
All his friends are going to develop a bad case of Fedheimer’s Syndrome: they’re going to forget that they ever knew the guy.
Until he comes out of jail then they give him a hero’s welcome and his cut, which they kept for him.
Wow, Prof, even you didn’t see fit to mention that he’s a Democrat. Was that because we could assume he is, being in Rhode Island and corrupt and all…?
Another round of “Guess which party.” No mention in the Providence Journal of the Speaker belonging to the Democrat Party
Well, in Rhode Island that’s not a big mystery.
Yeah, I had to go check his bio at Wiki to confirm what I suspected: Fox is a Democrat.
He is an interesting fellow. Apparently, he worked his way through college and law school after his father died. He came from middle class working parents (his mother was a maid) and supported a voter ID law. I guess the media will come out and say “he was practically a Republican” when the indictments are handed down.
Absolutely, moonstone and Roark! Surprised to see that even the Professor has us playing “Guess Which Party?”. Goodness, where will it all end? 😉
To all the above, I just assumed everyone knew, it being RI and all.
Well, we did. We’re just giving you grief for the fun of it. March Madness, you know.
Keep him on his toes.
Well, we’re getting tired of your microaggressions. Stop bullying us.
HA good one Henry 🙂
And that everyone will be afraid to deal with him now for fear of a wire. (tee hee) (and afraid they’ve already been recorded. Who knows when or whether he’s already been turned)
No more graft, No more “favors”. No more inside information or track for contracts.
I’d quit too if my only source of power just went by by in an FBI evidence van.
I especially like the bit where he expressed his “respect” for the House of Representatives. *snort*
“The Rhode Island House of Representatives is an institution that I deeply respect and serving my constituents has been a major part of my life for the past 22 years.” (that and racking in the dough)
Of course he could have SHOWN his respect by being an honorable and honest man but . . you know things got in the way.
And then the kiss off:
“I will not let yesterday’s events distract my colleagues from addressing the challenges facing Rhode Island.”
Shorter version: Suck it bitches. Now sweat it out.
There were some stained underwear when the House found out about the raid.
He probably fell behind on his vigorish and got threatened. So. Quick call to the Feebie “I want into the witness protection program.”
Huff Po says he also said that He says he wants to focus on his family and dealing with the investigation.
Yeah. We’ve heard that one before huh?
Oh and since they’re doing their usual coy act about what his party is, I’m assuming DEMOCRAT.
Uh Huh.
lame stream media will report “Federal and RI State police raid Fox”
Again, I love this list. Y’all got some sharp teeth on y’all.
In rows, like sharks.
Will the first person to find an elected Democrat who is not a crook, a thief, and a liar please post the name and bio?
I found him.
Unfortunately, “He died on December 26, 1972, and is buried next to Bess in the courtyard of the Truman Library.”
http://www.biography.com/people/harry-s-truman-9511121?page=4
Actually, he was part of the Kansas City political machine of the 20s and 30s. Old Harry S. made his share of “deals” when these things were accepted as part of Democratic politics.
Oh, wait, they’re still accepted as “part of Democratic politics”.
Psssst, hey Feds… Illinois is thataway —>!!! Michael Madigan needs to be investigated!
Guess which mean Republican homophobe said this:
Fox is just “a biracial gay kid that wasn’t supposed to be speaker.”
Obama will throw him under the bus as being associated with Fox News… somehow. He’s will say it, which will make it so.
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