Patrick Anderson of The Providence Journal appeared this week on “Behind the Story” to discuss an ethics trial stemming from a botched 2023 trip to Philadelphia involving two state directors.
Patrick Anderson, who covers politics and government, has followed the story since former state directors Jim Thorsen and David Patten became embroiled in the scandal three years ago.
The two men traveled to Philadelphia to visit a redeveloped space known as “Bok.” Afterward, state contractors who gave them a tour alleged Patten behaved inappropriately during the trip and that Thorsen failed to intervene.
The two men were also treated a free lunch at a restaurant called Irwin’s, which opened early specifically for them. Thorsen paid for Patten and himself days later after realizing trouble was brewing.
“It was a very unusual circumstance that Thorson was walking into, with no menus, no waitstaff, no table settings at the other tables, the chef personally preparing meals — no bill,” Anderson said.
“So, something even beyond the unusual nature of what happens in political lunches was going on here,” he added.
The issue became a scandal after the McKee administration was forced to release an email detailing the alleged behavior, following a public records battle with Target 12 and The Providence Journal.
Both former directors later came under scrutiny from the R.I. Ethics Commission, which alleged they violated the state’s ethics code.
Patten was fined $5,000 to resolve the matter, while Thorsen is contesting the allegations.
Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including:
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“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.