PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A judge on Friday granted Rhode Island's attorney general a court order to temporarily block the release of documents from the investigation into the state's failed $75 million deal with the video game company started by former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling.
Attorney General Peter Kilmartin successfully petitioned Superior Court Justice Robert Krause to issue a temporary restraining order in the 38 Studios investigation, WPRI-TV reported (http://bit.ly/2tcsryV ).
Amy Kempe, a spokeswoman for Kilmartin, said Friday that the order allows the state to seek a legal determination as to what is required and what is prohibited from being released.
Kilmartin, a Democrat, asked to keep correspondence between his office and Rhode Island State Police detectives, along with "grand jury material deemed confidential" sealed, among other specific documents.
Democratic State Rep. Charlene Lima had successfully pushed through legislation this week that requires documents from the investigation to be released even if they were presented to a grand jury. Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo had pledged to sign it when it reaches her desk.
Kilmartin's lawyers said the General Assembly cannot override Superior Court rules.
Raimondo has sought the release of secret grand jury records from the investigation. Kilmartin has opposed the efforts to make the records public, saying he's concerned about setting a precedent.
No criminal charges were brought after the grand jury concluded its work, and Kilmartin's office has said there was not enough evidence to ask the grand jury to return charges.
Schilling struck a deal in 2010 to move his company from Massachusetts to Rhode Island in exchange for a $75 million loan guarantee. Less than two years after the move, 38 Studios ran out of money and went bankrupt.
The state sued several people and companies involved in the deal and received about $61 million in settlements.
Schilling, who also played for the Baltimore Orioles, the Houston Astros, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks before ending his career with Boston in 2007, has said 38 Studios fully disclosed its financial condition to the state.
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Information from: WPRI-TV, http://www.wpri.com
The Associated Press
