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Curt Schilling

Friday, May 18, 2012

EG Rep. Watson Vindicated For Lone No Vote On 38 Studios Deal

The Republican was the only state legislator to vote against the deal to give Curt Schilling's now-faltering video game company a $75 million guaranteed loan in 2010.

East Greenwich state representative Bob Watson, who's had nothing but bad press in recent months, suddenly looks like the smartest guy in the room, having cast the only "no" vote in 2010 on the deal to give Curt Schillings' 38 Studios video game company at $75 million guaranteed loan. The company missed a $1 million loan payment earlier this month. The issue has claimed one political victim so far — Economic Development Commission head Keith Stokes resigned on Wednesday. Watson, a guest on NPRI's Political Roundtable Friday morning, recalled saying the deal was "too loose, too fast, and a scandal waiting to happen." He continued, "Back on April 13, 2010, I warned our house colleagues that thier vote that day could set in motion things …

Mutato

9:30 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2012

Backing a Gaming company with 75 mil seems just about the riskiest thing going. One thing to provide tax credits or loans to something like a manufacturing company. But we're talking about an "entertainment" company. That's like backing Disney's "John Carter"!   more ›

Thursday, May 17, 2012

EDC Head Resigns Following 38 Studios Controversy

Keith Stokes was head of the state Economic Development Corporation when it approved a $75 million guaranteed loan to the video game start up now in financial trouble.

Keith Stokes has stepped down as the head of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation amid the controversy surrounding Curt Schilling’s videogame company 38 Studios, according to the Providence Journal. The company, headed by the former Red Sox pitcher, defaulted on a $1.125-million payment to the state on May 1. On Wednesday, Schilling and members of 38 Studios met with state and EDC officials in an emergency meeting that was closed to the public. In 2010, EDC approved a $75-million guaranteed loan to the videogame company following 38 Studios’ promise to bring 450 jobs to the state by the end of 2012 and moved its business from Massachusetts to Providence. Stokes, a longtime board member of the EDC, was appointed by former Gov…

Mutato

8:50 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012

Loan $75 million to a gaming company? Who actually measured the risk? A gaming company. That's like loaning to a movie company. All their success is so risky, it's crazy to think people thought that was a good idea.   more ›

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