Mattiello 2016 campaign consultant charged with money laundering

PROVIDENCE – Jeffrey Britt, a former paid consultant to House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello in his 2016 reelection campaign, has been charged with a felony count of money laundering and a misdemeanor charge of making a prohibited campaign contribution, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced Friday.

The charges were related to a 2016 mailer sent out by Shawna Lawton endorsing Mattiello, which was allegedly funded by Britt.

The charges follow several months of investigation, Neronha said.

Britt allegedly made the mailer for Lawton that endorsed Mattiello in his campaign against Republican challenger Stephen Frias, without reporting the contribution. He was also alleged to have disguised his contribution by means of passing the funds through another donor, to pay for the mailer.

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Mattiello has not been charged and previously denied involvement. Neronha said that he did not expect any additional charges.

For the money-laundering felony charge, Britt could face up to 20 years in prison.

“Election laws exist for a reason: to ensure transparency in an election,” Neronha said.

Neronha noted that the R.I. Board of Elections was stymied by parties in their investigation, which he called a matter of grave concern. He said that his office will stand behind the board’s attempt to gain information and that failure to comply will be a strong indication that the full weight of his office will be utilized.

“Getting to the truth often requires investigative steps. That was the case here,” he said.

The R.I. Republican Party filed a grievance on the matter in 2016. Neronha said that matter was referred to his office in 2018.

“These proceedings do not involve the Speaker,” said Patti Doyle, spokesperson for the Mattiello campaign in a statement. “The Board of Elections resolved this issue for the campaign approximately one year ago.”

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor. You may reach him at Bergenheim@PBN.com.