Whistleblower accuses politicians of RIDOT pay-to-play scheme

A second letter from the Washington Bridge whistleblower alleges:

“The pay-to-play Washington Bridge funneled federal funds through construction companies back to key politicians over the years. Cardi Corp. had an inappropriate symbiotic relationship with RIDOT for the last 50+ years. From siblings to cousins, Cardi had the advantage on every public bid (RFP) issued by RIDOT and were often given bidding advantages over out-of-state bidders. The sale of Cardi Corp. to J.R. Vinagro was inevitable. Cardi Corp. ironically closed their doors the day before the Washington Bridge was closed. Cardi Corp. was able to avoid prosecution by shutting down and it would appear that Peckham Industries may also be involved in the takeover of J.R. Vinagro later this year. 

Non-profits and local construction companies have found a purpose in helping politicians cycle federal money through them and back into the hands of the politicians. Taxpayers are forced to watch the state overpay local companies for work with some of the money ending up in the politicians pockets. They do this through massive change orders that have no comparative evaluations. We are seeing this happen right now with the overinflated $38.4 million change order on the Washington Bridge demo. 

In the summer of 2020, RI saw out-of-state contractor, Barletta Heavy Division, challenge a Cardi Corp. bid on the Washington Brider only to be met with retaliatory lawsuits on their 6/10 job. Fast forward five years, the bridge is now demolished and the 6/10 case is settled. For the cost of a new bridge, Rhode Island politicians secured $10 million on a case that was reduced to a false claim. Contamination was thrown out the window along with the criminal charges. The RI AG terrorized a contractor to put funds in the pockets of his political friends and the state paid the price.”

RIDOT pay to play scheme.