Gordon D Fox, Wire Fraud, Bribery, Rhode Island 2024

Former Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, 53, of East Providence, is expected to plead guilty in federal court to a three-count Information charging him with wire fraud, bribery, and filing a false tax return.

The charges stem from former Speaker Fox’s theft of $108,000 donated by campaign supporters to pay for personal expenses; his acceptance of a $52,000 bribe to advocate and move for issuance of a liquor license for an East Side restaurant while serving as Vice-Chairman of the City of Providence Board of Licenses in 2008; and his failure to account for these illegal sources of income on his tax returns.

An 18-month federal grand jury investigation led by prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, the FBI, IRS, and Rhode Island State Police, included the execution of court-authorized search warrants at the former speaker’s home and State House office in March of 2014; the issuance of more than 200 subpoenas; the examination of more than 36,000 bank, government, personal, and campaign records belonging to former Speaker Fox; and forensic examinations of several computers and other electronic devices.

United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin, FBI Special Agent in Charge Vincent B. Lisi, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge William P. Offord, and Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell today announced the conclusion of the investigation and the filing of the Information, together with a Plea Agreement which, if accepted by the District Court, will result in Former Speaker Fox being sentenced to three years in federal prison.

“When the search warrants in this case were executed nearly a year ago, there was talk about the State House being ‘the People’s House,’” said United States Attorney Neronha. “I agree completely. The People’s House should be occupied by elected officials who hold office to serve the people, not themselves. As federal and state prosecutors, and federal and state law enforcement officials, we represent the people of the United States and the people of Rhode Island. And we will go anywhere – anywhere – we can lawfully go to obtain the evidence we need to protect their interests.”

“Last year, as the federal case began against Speaker Fox, I pledged to U.S. Attorney Neronha, the support and resources of the Department of Attorney General should they become necessary,” said Attorney General Kilmartin. “During the investigation, when the evidence of the bribery was discovered, the State possessed the prosecutorial tools necessary to move forward with this charge. It was that need and the state’s ability to move forward which helped secure a just resolution today,” he added.

“The close working relationship between the Department of Attorney General and the United States Attorney’s Office allows both offices to leverage state and federal resources to bring those who violate our laws – and the public’s trust – to justice,” said Attorney General Kilmartin.

Gordon Fox accepted a bribe, diverted campaign and PAC funds for his personal use, and omitted this illegal income from his federal income tax returns,” stated William Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.

Related Federal Cases