Thursday, September 19, 2024
The President of the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee (BLM RI PAC) is seeking information from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) as to any communications — and job offer made — to now-former State Senator Sandra Cano.
On Thursday, September 12, Cano — who represented District 8 in Pawtucket — announced she was resigning to take a new job opportunity amid speculation that the position is with the SBA.
Cano’s departure came just days following winning her uncontested Democratic primary; the Rhode Island Democratic Party selected Lori Urso to replace Cano as the party nominee in November for the district.
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Now, BLM RI PAC President Harrison Tuttle wants answers as to when Cano knew she should be leaving for another job, as the timing of her departure allowed for the party to choose a candidate.
In a Freedom of Information Act request (see full letter below), Tuttle asked the SBA to provide the timeline of communications as well as job offer.
Tuttle on Record
“We’re interested in making sure that we get this information. We want to make sure that we’re advocating for the district voters that lost out on the opportunity to pick their next Democratic [candidate for] senator for the general election,” said Tuttle. “That’s really where it comes from. For us, the most important thing is that people have a choice, and that the corruption that’s going on in the City of Pawtucket, which is evident in this latest act, is proof that people start using their voice more on things that are going on in the city.”
When pressed on specific examples of what he deemed corruption, Tuttle said the following.
“I think it’s the ongoing events that have occurred, but I’ll narrow it into the last year. You have a Mayor, who by far has some of the most high-profile cases of police brutality. One, obviously with Dolan, the other with Mr. [Richard] Addison at the apartment complex — an 83-year-old who was slammed down on the floor,” said Tuttle.
Former embattled Pawtucket police officer Daniel Dolan submitted his resignation from the department in November 2023, after he was accused of shooting a teen in West Greeenwich in 2001 while off-duty (he was eventually acquitted); he also faced allegations of verbally abusing officers during a DUI stop in Coventry.
“The Mayor primaried incumbent State Reps, which does not happen, claiming that these individuals the BLMRI PAC supports are not fighting for the residents of Pawtucket and what they want and believe in,” Tuttle continued. “And we saw in the last election that was not true.”
“I just believe that the Pawtucket machine, as it’s referred to, is just so out of touch with how to run the city to meet the needs of their constituents,” said Tuttle. “So when you see instances where there are people directly tied to that machine making undemocratic decisions…it upsets not just me but the community.”
“We’re trying to figure out the information as to when she knew. That is the most important thing — specifically, when she received an offer letter. We don’t have a problem with someone looking for other job opprtunities, we have a problem with the timing in which we found out which means the public found which means the district found out. That’s the problem,” said Tuttle.
Information Sought
The following is Tuttle’s FOIA request to the SBA:
FOIA Office
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd Street, SW
Washington, DC 20416
To Whom It May Concern,
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee respectfully request access to the following records related to the position of New England Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA):
1. Employment Process for Sandra Cano:
– Date of invite and offer to Sandra Cano to interview for the New England Regional Administrator position.
– Dates of all interviews Sandra Cano participated in for the New England Regional Administrator position.
– Date of employment offer extended to Sandra Cano for the New England Regional Administrator position.
– Date of Sandra Cano’s acceptance of the offer for the New England Regional Administrator position.
2. Communications Between Sandra Cano and the SBA:
– All communications (emails, letters, etc.) between Sandra Cano and the SBA (from SBA to Cano and from Cano to SBA) regarding the New England Regional Administrator position, from January 1, 2024, to September 16, 2024.
I would prefer to receive the records in electronic copy. Additionally, I am willing to pay applicable fees for processing this request. Please place me in the non-commercial scientific institution fee category. If the fees exceed $100 please notify me before proceeding with the request.
Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.
Sincerely,
Harrison Tuttle
President
Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee
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