"The state police investigation found Conti and [known organized crime figure Raymond 'Scarface'] Jenkins were secret business associates in an illegal marijuana startup, called Organic Bees, which regulators shut down earlier this year in part because the venture failed to disclose everyone involved in the company, including the two men.

Conti on Wednesday denied any involvement in Organic Bees, despite a mountain of state police evidence suggesting otherwise.

'Mr. Conti had no role in the business organization, Organic Bees,' Conti’s attorney, Jimmy Burchfield Jr., said in a statement. 'Mr. Conti has been employed by the House of Representatives honorably serving under four speakers since first hired in December 2006.'

A spokesperson for House Speaker Joe Shekarchi said Wednesday he had no knowledge of Conti’s involvement in Organic Bees and gave no indication it would affect Conti’s $136,000-a-year job on his staff. On Thursday, however, Conti resigned from his State House job just hours before Target 12’s report.

While state police evidence shows Conti played an integral role in trying to get Organic Bees off the ground, he faced no direct penalties when the enterprise fell apart. But Jenkins and two others were arrested and charged in connection with the business.

...

Jenkins wasn’t the only mob figure linked to Conti. State police documents say Conti attended several events with members of the New England Mafia, including one where so-called 'loyalty payments' were paid up to mob leaders.

State police said the attendees included Edward 'Eddie' Lato, who they say was recently named 'underboss,' an underworld promotion that also has not been previously reported. He was previously identified as a capo.

Former State Police Col. Steven O’Donnell, who spent years investigating La Cosa Nostra in Rhode Island, described loyalty payments as 'almost like a political campaign contribution to a mob guy.'

The idea that an aide to the House speaker has been attending such events, O’Donnell said, is 'absolutely astounding'.”