In an interview with Boston Public Radio Friday, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo said her state’s lawsuit against Curt Schilling will go to trial within the next two months. “I feel strongly that we should get back every penny, or as much as we can,” she said.
In 2010, Schilling, a conservative pundit and former World Series-winning Red Sox pitcher, moved his video game company, 38 Studios, from Massachusetts to Rhode Island. The venture was sponsored by $75 million of state funding, which was expected to be paid back to Rhode Island by the company.
After 38 Studios went bankrupt in 2012, the state was left with the debt, which Raimondo says she plans to get back in full. “Just a week ago, I announced a $25 million settlement with Wells Fargo, I think we’re up to about $40 million in what we’ve already recovered,” she said. “Look, it was a terrible deal. I never supported it, it happened before I was in public office, it was clearly a bad deal.”
According to Raimondo, the original intention was to use the $75 million available for start-ups and catalyzing economic development. “That’s not a bad idea, had they put it in 30-40 companies, sprinkled in a big portfolio,” she said. “The incredibly bad idea was to put the whole knot into one high-risk venture.”
Raimondo said the proposal should have been more thoroughly reviewed. “There are 200 venture capital firms in Boston, [and] Curt Schilling had to come to the the state of Rhode Island to get money? That should have been a big red flag,” she said.”
Over the weekend, Schilling announced aspirations for a position in state government, and a potential run for president. “I am going to run, soon,” Schilling wrote in a Facebook post . “Sate office first, white house in 8 years.”
Raimondo said she does not support his potential run for office. “I do not, and I do not want to discuss that,” she said. “I just want to get the money back.”
In the same Facebook post, Schilling referenced the Rhode Island lawsuit, calling the Rhode Island government “dumbasses.”
“Your dumb ass state offered my company a bond to move there? You dumbasses elected and continue to elect inept, corrupt and ignorant public officials? Because I invested 50m of my own money in my company?” He wrote.
Raimondo said she takes those comments personally. “How do you think I feel? It’s hurtful, it turns my stomach, and I just have no patience or tolerance for him,” she said. “But I’m going to keep my cool and work on this lawsuit and get our money back, and never do a deal like that again.”
Gina Raimondo is the Governor of Rhode Island. To hear her full interview with Boston Public Radio, click on the audio link above.
