Report: Mattiello appointee got $50,000 in free tuition

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A top appointee of Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello got $50,000 in free tuition from his fomer job at Rhode Island College, even though he was on unpaid leave from the position for years working in the General Assembly, WPRI-TV reported.

WPRI reported that Montanaro was able to keep rights to his old job under a special leave status typically granted for six months, but which was extended to three years.

A spokeswoman for Rhode Island College told the station the third year of leave was granted as a result of a negotiated settlement with Montanaro's union.