38 Studios: Raimondo, AG's Office Spar Over Who's Hiding The Facts

PROVIDENCE, RI — Gov. Gina Raimondo on Wednesday signed a law releasing records into the 38 Studios investigation. The records would include classify "all documents related to the Attorney General and State Police investigation of Curt Schilling's failed video-game company" as public records. But everything would not be automatically released.

"Documents created as part of the grand jury investigation into 38 Studios would still require the approval of the Presiding Justice of the Superior Court," Raimondo said. She also made a statement criticizing Peter Kilmartin, the state attorney general. Raimondo said she will "immediately file an objection to a court order obtained in June by Attorney General Peter Kilmartin blocking the release of documents from the 38 Studios investigation even after the Governor has signed the bill into law."

Kilmartin's office shot back with a blunt statement. Amy Kempe, Kilmartin's spokeswoman, said the governor is the person keeping the facts hidden.

Meanwhile, the restraining order stays in effect, she said.

"The next step is for parties to meet with the Court to set a schedule to address the issue of what documents can be released in accordance with the statute and Court rules," Kempe said. She went on to say the governor and state police Col. Ann Assumpico are responsible for keeping the public in the dark.

"It is ironic and politically calculated for the Governor to talk about the 'will of the people' when it was she and Colonel Assumpico who in effect stopped the investigation when it was set to be reactivated at the conclusion of the civil litigation," Kempe said. "Regardless of the Court outcome or her political posturing in this case, the public will never know the whole truth because she effectively put a stop to it."

"Moreover, the Governor conveniently forgets that she promised an independent investigation into the matter, but has broken her promise to do so," she added.

"From the outset, the Attorney General has not been opposed to the release of documents,"Kempe said. "He has only sought clarification from the Court as to what can be released in accordance with the statute and to ensure release of documents does not violate privilege, Court rules, or the recent decision by the Presiding Justice.

"The Governor is attempting to upend centuries of jurisprudence and precedence for political purposes, and that needs to be properly addressed in the appropriate forum, which is the Courts."