STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF JEFFREY BRITT CONCERNING TODAY'S INDICTMENT Mr. Britt is disappointed in today's indictment, but, at the same time, he is anxious to clear his name at a public trial We think it will become apparent that these charges should not have been brought — and certainly not against Mr. Britt. Obviously, in the sometimes sordid history of Rhode Island politics, participating with others in raising $2100 for a campaign mailer, three years ago, is a pretty underwhelming offense. That probably explains why the Board of Elections closed its investigation into the matter in April 2018, with just a warning to the Mattiello campaign. It certainly does not justify the State's overcharging this petty episode as money laundering, when — at most ~ it might be a misdemeanor under Rhode Island law. Worse, today’s indictment unfairly singles out Mr. Britt, a contractor to the Mattiello campaign. We believe that the evidence at trial will leave Rhode Islanders scratching their heads about who did and who did not get charged, and will show that Mr. Britt was used by the Mattiello campaign as a fall guy. We are confident that the jury will see this set-up for what it is, once they hear the testimony from everyone involved.