McKee opposes under oath testimony at Washington Bridge hearing

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island lawmakers are preparing to hold another oversight hearing in November to review the McKee administration’s handling of the 2023 westbound Washington Bridge shutdown. The hearing was prompted by the September 26 leak of a forensic audit commissioned by the governor’s office.

After the audit was leaked, McKee released a statement saying he supports legislative oversight but opposes the idea of putting state officials, including Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr., under oath while litigation is pending. He argued that such testimony could jeopardize the state’s case and the potential recovery of millions in damages.

On Wednesday, McKee appeared on WPRO’s The Matt Allen Show, where he said putting state employees under oath was “disrespectful.” When pressed on why, the governor replied, “Basically because you’re not believing what’s being told—said to them.”

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson released a joint statement rejecting the governor’s objections to their plan to place employees under oath.

They cited a statement from Attorney General Peter Neronha supporting their position:

“The people of Rhode Island deserve transparency and accountability, and I support Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Lawson in their mission here,” said Attorney General Neronha. “Though my office seeks to hold accountable several contractor companies for what we allege was negligent behavior, that doesn’t mean those in state leadership charged with maintaining our roads and bridges get a free pass. We must know the full truth, and these hearings can absolutely provide helpful insight.”

The audit, which has been in the governor’s possession since its completion in April 2024 by the firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc., details what led to the bridge’s failure and places some of the responsibility on state officials.

Governor McKee initially promised to release the audit publicly but later withheld it, citing the state’s ongoing lawsuit against 13 engineering and construction firms connected to the bridge.

However, after the document surfaced on social media in late September, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office published the full draft.

Under oath testimony at Washington Bridge