Politics & Government
Mayor Fung: Raimondo Should Return Partners Campaign Donations
The mayor said the governor took money from Partners Healthcare and from Care New England, and her campaign should return those donations.
CRANSTON, RI — Mayor Allan Fung, who is running for governor, called on sitting Gov. Gina Raimondo to return campaign contributions she took from Partners Healthcare and from Care New England. The two hospital groups are exploring a merger, and Raimondo will have a say about approving the deal.
"Rhode Islanders are not stupid and can see right through this game of wink wink," Fung said. "You cannot be an impartial regulator in a deal when you're taking money from both sides. It's laughable. Rhode Islanders have had enough of the numerous ethical lapses and shady insider deals during her administration. Raimondo should return all donations from that fundraiser in Boston and any related donations from Care New England that have arisen during merger negotiations. Since she will have the say in approving one of the largest healthcare mergers in state history, this would be the only ethical thing to do."
Fung's campaign sent a press release Thursday charging that money has changed the governor's mind about potential job cuts and "loss of specialty care." Originally, she had reservations about the deal.
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"Now, with former and present Partners Healthcare leaders throwing a fundraiser for Raimondo in June, that included max out donations from the former Chairman Jack Connors, the former COO of Partners Thomas Glynn, and Board of Directors members John Fish & Anne Finucane amongst others," Fung's campaign wrote, "her approach has softened. A week before the fundraiser, Raimondo's spokesman stated she was now "encouraged that Care New England (where Raimondo's brother works) & Partners Healthcare are including a strong local partnership with Brown University (where Raimondo's husband works)." Raimondo has also accepted over seven thousand dollars in donations from the (very recently departed) CEO of Care New England, Dennis Keefe."
Patch is asking the governor's office for comment.
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Cover Photo: Mayor Fung marches in the police parade in Newport. Credit: Margo Sullivan/Patch Staff
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