The Rhode Island House of Representatives on Tuesday elected Nicholas Mattiello, D-Cranston, as speaker, three days after Gordon Fox resigned following a police raid on his home and office.
The 75-member House, which includes six Republicans, voted for Mattiello 61-6 over Rep. Michael Marcello, D-Scituate. Marcello had withdrawn but some supporters voted for him anyway. Eight House members did not vote.
Four days earlier, agents from the U.S. attorney's office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. attorney's office and the Rhode Island State Police raided the home and State House office of Fox, 52, an East Side Providence Democrat. Officials would not elaborate on the investigation.
Fox, a 22-year lawmaker and speaker since 2010, resigned as speaker over the weekend and said he would not seek re-election this year.
"Because of the nature of this matter, I will not be commenting further," Fox said in a statement.
Mattiello, elected in 2006, had been majority leader, the second ranking position in the House, since February 2010. He was a co-sponsor of the Rhode Island Retirement Security Act, a 2011 law that reduced benefits for active employees by shifting them to a hybrid system combining defined-benefit and defined-contribution plans, and limiting cost of living adjustments for retirees, among other changes.
State and union officials agreed last month to a compromise after months of federal mediation.
Rhode Island is no stranger to corruption. Former Gov. Edward DiPrete served 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to bribery, extortion, and racketeering, and former Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci also served time for racketeering. He now hosts a local radio talk show.
In addition, former Central Falls Mayor Charles Moreau received a two-year prison sentence in February 2013 for accepting gifts in exchange for awarding a contract to board up at least 167 foreclosed properties within the city from 2007 to 2009. Central Falls was under Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection from August 2011 to September 2012.
Lawmakers who spoke Tuesday worried about Rhode Island's reputation at a time when its economy is teetering. Its unemployment rate in December was 9.3%, the nation's highest, though it dropped to 9% in February.
"We have a small window of opportunity to get it right. The clock is ticking," said Rep. Patricia Serpa, D-Coventry, who nominated Mattiello. "We must create an environment where jobs and the economy can flourish."
Moody's Investors Service rates Rhode Island's general obligation bonds Aa2. Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's rate them AA.
