Two Rhode Island officials have triggered two investigations after being accused of “sexist, racist behavior" during a trip to Philadelphia in March. About the incident: David Patten, director of the Rhode Island's Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, and James Thorsen, former director of the state’s Department of Administration, traveled to Philadelphia on March 10 to meet with urban development and design firm Scout Ltd. to discuss a revamp of Cranston Street Armory in Providence, Rhode Island. Everett Abitbol, Scout’s director of hospitality and development, as well as Lindsey Scannapieco, a managing partner at the company, alleged in an email dated March 12 that the officials made “bizarre, offensive and unprofessional actions” during the trip.