State Police Launch Investigation of Central Coventry Fire District

STATE HOUSE – The Coventry legislative delegation announced Friday that the Rhode Island State Police have agreed to open an investigation into the Central Coventry Fire District. The legislators requested that the Attorney General investigate the fire district’s handling of its pension fund. 

Senator Nicholas D. Kettle, along with Senator Lou Raptakis and Representatives Michael Chippendale, Lisa Tomasso, Jared Nunes and Patricia Morgan, requested Attorney General Peter Kilmartin begin a criminal investigation into the district’s failure to make its or employees’ payments into the Municipal Employees Retirement System between December 2011 and September 2012.

“The people of the district as well as the fire personnel deserve an answer as to where that money has gone,” Kettle said. “The fire district is currently in receivership and if criminal actions led to the current situation, we need to know.”

The district is currently under control of a special master. The delegation also asked Kilmartin to look into a loan the district obtained that was not in anticipation of tax revenue.

“I look forward to the results of the state police’s investigation,” Kettle said.  “Hopefully this will provide us with some answers.”

"The Special Master and I welcome any investigations by any authorized agency," CCFD Chief Andy Baynes told Patch on Friday. "You see, I requested such, prior to the filing of the legislative initiative, and we appreciate the assistance of the local legislators."