REGION IN BRIEF

Truck driver waives arraignment in motorcyclist deaths

LANCASTER, N.H. (AP) — A pickup truck driver accused of causing a collision that killed seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire has waived arraignment on 23 charges saying he negligently caused the deaths and was under the influence of one or more drugs at the time.

A lawyer for 23-year-old Volodymyr Zhukovskyy , of West Springfield, Massachusetts, entered not guilty pleas on his behalf in court paperwork released Friday. Zhukovskyy has been jailed without bail since the June 21 crash in Randolph.

A county grand jury handed up indictments last month on seven counts of negligent homicide; seven counts of negligent homicide — driving under the influence; seven counts of manslaughter-reckless; one count of driving while intoxicated; and one count of reckless conduct.

Speaker’s campaign aide pleads not guilty at his arraignment

WARWICK (AP) — A campaign aide to the state House speaker pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges of money laundering and making a prohibited campaign contribution.

Jeff Britt’s attorney entered not guilty pleas on his behalf during a brief arraignment in Superior Court in Warwick, according to The Providence Journal .

Authorities allege Britt funded a $1,000 contribution made through a third party to defeated Republican primary candidate Shawna Lawton and the money ended up helping pay for a mailer endorsing Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello instead of her party’s nominee in 2016.

Britt, 51, was released on $10,000 personal recognizance and told he’d be excused from some future court appearances since he lives in Palm Beach, Florida. He referred reporters’ questions to his attorney, Robert Corrente. Corrente, a former U.S. attorney, said Britt was used by the Mattiello campaign as a “fall guy.”

Mattiello, who exited the courthouse moments later, told reporters, “I know nothing about it.” Mattiello, an attorney, said he was at the courthouse for work.

Mattiello beat Republican opponent Steven Frias by just 85 votes in his Cranston district in 2016. The state Republican Party filed a complaint over the mailer, alleging Lawton didn’t properly disclose who funded it and claiming Lawton and Mattiello illegally coordinated through Britt.

The elections board dismissed contempt proceedings against Britt last year but referred the case to the attorney general.

According to the indictment, Lawton deposited the $1,000 check into her campaign account, along with another $1,000 check delivered by Britt, then gave Britt a check for $2,150 that was used to pay for the mailer.

The money laundering charge is a felony, while making a prohibited campaign contribution is a misdemeanor.

Attorney General Peter Neronha has said there was no admissible evidence that Mattiello knew what Britt was allegedly doing. When asked about the possibility of Lawton facing charges, Neronha’s office said Friday it couldn’t comment on a pending case.

Court date rescheduled for Patriots’ Chung on drug charge

LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung is not expected to appear in court on a cocaine possession charge until after the current regular National Football League season ends.

A grand jury in New Hampshire indicted the 32-year-old Chung in August. A prosecutor said members of the Meredith, New Hampshire, police department were called to his residence in June and obtained evidence leading to the felony drug charge. He’s pleaded not guilty.

Court paperwork says an appearance scheduled for this month was rescheduled for Jan. 3, 2020, to allow more time for both sides to exchange information relevant to a possible resolution of the case. A trial date was scheduled for March.

Chung has been a major contributor on defense to three of the Patriots’ six Super Bowl championships.

House majority leader has raised $1M in campaign funds

PROVIDENCE (AP) — The latest Rhode Island fundraising report shows Democratic House Majority Leader Joseph Shekarchi leads the state’s politicians with $1 million in campaign cash.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, who is believed to be considering a 2022 gubernatorial run, has about $615,000 according to the third quarter disclosure due Thursday to the Rhode Island Board of Elections.

Although term limited, Gov. Gina Raimondo has $680,000. $66,000 of that was raised in the third quarter.

Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey has the Senate’s highest balance at $228,000; Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has $227,000.

Former Attorney General Patrick Lynch hasn’t been on the ballot since 2006 but has about $270,000 in his campaign account.