No charges in probe of Schilling firm

SCITUATE, R.I. An investigation into former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s failed video game company, 38 Studios, has resulted in no criminal charges, authorities announced Friday. The years-long investigation found “no provable criminal violations” of state law, according to a report released by the state police and the state attorney general’s office. Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and state police Col. Steven G. O’Donnell said there was not enough evidence and probable cause to bring charges.

O’Donnell said there were many ways the 38 Studios deal was problematic, starting with the way lawmakers pushed through the legislation used to finance the deal, which he said was not transparent. He also said those involved in the deal didn’t do their due diligence, partly because of the state’s poor economy and Schilling’s celebrity status. But he said those factors were not enough to bring charges.

The former ballplayer’s company relocated to Rhode Island from Massachusetts in 2010 in exchange for a US$75-million state loan guarantee. The company went bankrupt less than two years later, leaving taxpayers on the hook.

Schilling reacted on Twitter, telling WPRI-TV he was “disgusted” that authorities investigating the failed deal with his video game company were sent on a “witch hunt” and telling WPRO-AM that company executives “didn’t do anything wrong but fail at business.”