Mattiello fires back at critics over fire union connection

Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com

House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello says there is no conflict of interest in the ongoing pension reform deal despite the fact he is a landlord to the Cranston Firefighters Union.

Mattiello said his relationship with the Local 1633 is a purely business relationship between a tenant and landlord, and that criticizing him for making a living discourages good people from running for public office. He says the criticism is being fueled by talk radio.

“Everything I’ve ever done has been to serve the public’s interest; I’m not going to give up a private tenant in a difficult economy to serve someone’s personal mean spirited agenda,” said Mattiello.

The Local 1633 is a legacy tenant for Mattiello and his family; he and his brother are currently co-owners of the building they lease to the Union, as their father did before them.

“I voted for pension reform,” said Mattiello “Is there an issue that would concern the Cranston Firefighters more than pension reform? And I was a sponsor of the bill and a leading voice on the floor driving that bill through the House of Representatives.”

He said if there was bad blood between himself and the Local 1633 over pension reform they are free to leave him as a tenant.

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