GoLocalProv | News | Rhode Island’s 50 Wealthiest and Most Influential: 50-31

#31 John Picerne, Founder and Chair of the Board of Corvias

With greater than 30 years {of professional} actual property expertise, Picerne developed Corvias into a significant participant in institutional housing.

It began in 1998, when he based Picerne Army Housing with the purpose of considerably enhancing housing for U.S. service members.  That portion of the enterprise, nevertheless, got here below hearth.

Picerne’s Corvias has secured contracts with the USA Military that may generate $1 billion in charges.

At the USA Senate Armed Providers Committee listening to in 2019, the households of members of the U.S. army advised story after story of the substandard housing owned and maintained by the Rhode Island firm.

All of the whereas, Picerne was been shopping for mansions and castles in Florida, Eire, and Rhode Island.

Households supplied stories of overcharging, deplorable situations, failure to keep up housing and, de facto, endangering kids with well being situations.

Corvias is likely one of the non-public army housing corporations most cited for deplorable housing situations.

“Our army households don’t deserve this after all of the sacrifices they make…it’s felony. It’s unbelievable the extent of this cover-up,” testified Janna Driver, the spouse of an active-duty Air Pressure service member and mom of 5 kids, in keeping with Stars and Stripes.

Picerne has been a significant donor to each nationwide and Rhode Island elected officers over the previous two-plus a long time — he has donated a whole bunch of hundreds and Rhode Island’s Senators and Congressmen have collectively obtained almost $100,000.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed has obtained $21,375 to his marketing campaign account and his political motion committee.

Reuters reported, “To develop his enterprise, the scion of a rich Rhode Island actual property household has cultivated ties with army brass and politicians. Corvias has spent hundreds of thousands on lobbying, and Picerne has enlisted the assistance of his state’s highly effective Democratic senator, Jack Reed, an Military veteran and rating member of the Senate Armed Providers Committee.”

Reed’s spokesman stated the Senator will now not settle for donations from Picerne. Chip Unruh stated in an e mail to GoLocal, “Senator Reed referred to as these hearings to assist carry consideration to this concern and guarantee each army household has secure, high-quality housing. The CEOs dedicated to fixing the issue and Senator Reed will proceed to carry them accountable.”

Reed is simply one of many prime recipients of Picerne’s donations.

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-2) has obtained $18,400 from Picerne, U.S. Congressman David Cicilline has obtained $10,300 and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has obtained $9,800.