Fung Calls for Speaker Fox to Resign

Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung, also a Republican candidate for governor, issued a statement Friday afternoon calling upon Speaker of the House Gordon Fox to resign.

Fox, the subject of two raids on Friday — one at his office at the State House, the other at his home in Providence's East Side — is the subject of a multi-agency investigation the details of which remain unclear.

“I am calling on Speaker Fox to resign from the speakership while this investigation is pending. It would be impossible for him to govern while being investigated by the F.B.I., the I.R.S., the U.S. Attorney, and the Rhode Island State Police," Fung said.

“This situation shines light on the fact that too much power rests in the speakership. This is just one example of why it is necessary for Rhode Island to hold a constitutional convention and put more power into the hands of the Governor and the citizens of Rhode Island," Fung said. “For over seven decades Rhode Island has suffered under democratic rule. It is imperative we implement reforms such as the line item veto and reinstating ethics commission oversight.”

Meanwhile, Fung's primary opponent Ken Block said "It's a sad day when Rhode Island State Police and Federal Law Enforcement have to raid state offices."

Block said today's events "serve as a strong reminder that the next Governor must reform Rhode Island's system of government and end the culture of back office deal making and one-party rule."

House Majority Leader Rep. Nicholas Mattiello of Cranston, is poised to take the speakership. Though Fox hasn't resigned as of Friday afternoon, it appeared Mattiello had the votes to secure the speakership (he needs at least 38) in a vote sometime next week before the full House.