Kudos to Common Cause Rhode Island for filing a complaint and seeking a tighter code of ethics in Rhode Island in the wake of a scandal involving Gov. Dan McKee and the awarding of a $5.2 million state contract.

Last week, Common Cause and its executive director, East Bay resident John Marion, filed a formal complaint asking the Secretary of State’s office to investigate and seek sanctions against the CEO of a Washington, D.C. nonprofit for failing to register as a lobbyist in Rhode Island. Though not registered as a lobbyist, Chiefs for Change CEO Michael Magee clearly acted as one while influencing the governor and his administration to award an educational consulting contract to a close ally, the ILO Group, back in 2021.

The Rhode Island State Police and the office of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha investigated the circumstances of the ILO contract and found the following: “The Governor and his administration did not follow state procurement rules and regulations – the evidence of that is plain and cannot be seriously disputed.”

The attorney general also concluded: “Yes, Gov. McKee intentionally and against the findings of an independent state review team steered a lucrative, federally-funded state contract to a company formed for that purpose by Magee’s close associate, [ILO Group CEO Julia] Rafal-Baer.” At the same time the governor handed the $5.2 million to an ally’s friend, he and his political campaign began receiving free communications services from another firm, paid for by that same ally.

Everything about the situation feels unethical, improper and blatantly obvious. The attorney general concluded as much, while acknowledging that there is not a preponderance of evidence to warrant a criminal case.

Common Cause, which devotes its energy and actions to ensuring good government in Rhode Island, has stepped in to do what it can. It seeks a slap on the wrist against the non-registered lobbyist — thereby creating a deterrent for future actors. And it seeks a tightening of the state’s ethics laws, to be sure that registered lobbyists and their principal agents are subject to the so-called “gift rule” that requires disclosure and regulates the financial value of gifts to public officials.

The ILO case demonstrates a blatant misuse of power, and it highlights the important role of watchdog organizations like Common Cause in keeping our government open, honest and accountable to its citizens.