In Rhode Island, Governor Gina Raimondo is Charter-mad. This makes sense since she used to be a hedge fund manager and most HFMs are Charter zealots.

What was not so well known is that Jonathan Sackler has contributed large sums to support more charters in RI and to help Raimondo’s political career.

Sackler’s billions are derived from the marketing and sale of opioids, which have killed more than 200,000 people.

The Massachusetts Attorney General is suing the Sackler Family, not just Purdue Pharmaceuticals.

Raimondo won’t return the bloody Sackler money.

“A GoLocal review of federal tax documents has found that Jonathan Sackler — who is now being personally sued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Suffolk County New York for his role in the illegal marketing of opioids which is tied to the deaths of tens of thousands overdoses — has funneled millions of dollars to charter school company Achievement First. The company runs three schools in Rhode Island.

“As GoLocal has previously reported, Jonathan Sackler and his wife Mary Corson are significant donors to Governor Gina Raimondo and the Governor has repeatedly refused to donate or return the donations.

“Sackler has served as a board member for years for Achievement First, but disappeared from the list of Board member in mid-2018 — about the time that hundreds of lawsuits were filed by states and municipalities against Sackler’s company Purdue Pharma. Purdue Pharma is controlled by the Sacklers and Jonathan has served on the Purdue board for years. The State of Rhode Island and a number of municipalities have filed suit against Sackler’s company Purdue — and other firms.”

Is it “for the kids”?