38 Studios did not have proper permits

WPRI 12

Reporting by: Steve Nielsen

Updated: Jun 11, 2012 11:09 AM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Curt Schilling's gaming company 38 Studios, which declared bankruptcy on Thursday, was operating for several months in a building without proper permits, WPRI 12 has learned.

The building which housed the taxpayer-backed company since May 2011 had a certificate that expired in September 2011 - while hundreds of 38 Studios employees worked inside.

The Providence Department of Inspection and Standards says three temporary certificates were filed starting in May 2011, but there was a problem with each one.

The contractor, Nappa Construction Management, says it was unaware of the city's assertion that the carbon monoxide detectors were antiquated and the elevators needed repair.

More: Criminal probe launched into 38 Studios In-Depth: Complete coverage on 38 Studios Timeline: How the 38 Studios deal unfolded

The documents indicate there were no safety issues for employees. But those documents are also expired.

"We will pursue this and get them to complete it," said Jeffery Lykins, a department employee.

Lykins says it wasn't 38 Studios' responsibility to file for a certificate of occupancy but rather the contractor's.

"I'm sure it slipped someone's mind," he said. "Not a great thing, but at the same time there were no safety issues. The building had been thoroughly checked out. We wouldn't have given them a temporary if there were any safety issues with the building."

A Nappa Construction representative told WPRI 12 the company is working with the fire department to get a permanent certificate of occupancy.

City officials say they are working to update their systems so that a six-story office building can't be open without a certificate of occupancy again.

Copyright 2013 WPRI 12. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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