'Unusual circumstances': Patrick Anderson breaks down ethics trial of Jim Thorsen

Patrick Anderson, who covers politics and government, has followed the story since former state directors Jim Thorsen and David Patten became embroiled in the scandal three years ago. The two men traveled to Philadelphia to visit a redeveloped space known as “Bok.” Afterward, state contractors who gave them a tour alleged Patten behaved inappropriately during the trip and that Thorsen failed to intervene. The two men were also treated a free lunch at a restaurant called Irwin’s, which opened early specifically for them. Thorsen paid for Patten and himself days later after realizing trouble was brewing. “It was a very unusual circumstance that Thorson was walking into, with no menus, no waitstaff, no table settings at the other tables, the chef personally preparing meals — no bill,” Anderson said. “So, something even beyond the unusual nature of what happens in political lunches was going on here,” he added. The issue became a scandal after the McKee administration was forced to release an email detailing the alleged behavior, following a public records battle with Target 12 and The Providence Journal. Both former directors later came under scrutiny from the R.I. Ethics Commission, which alleged they violated the state’s ethics code. Patten was fined $5,000 to resolve the matter, while Thorsen is contesting the allegations. Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including:   Kim’s pick Five years in, ‘world’s shortest’ parade is an institution by Ted Hayes, EastBayRI Monopoly Man? by Eli Sherman, 12 News (for Rhode Island Monthly) Eli’s pick MORE MILLIONS: Seven-figure home sales spreading away from waterfront by Veer Mudambi, Providence Business News Investigation into alleged affair between judge and prosecutor concludes by Grace Ferguson, The New Bedford Light Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app. How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com. “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.