RHORI star Liz McGraw’s friend Dino Guilmette rejects plea deal that would let him avoid prison in drug case

RHORI star Liz McGraw's friend Dino Guilmette rejects plea deal that would let him avoid prison, tells judge he wants trial

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Dino Guilmettea – friend (and rumored ex) of Real Housewives of Rhode Island star Liz McGraw — rejected the assistant attorney general’s plea deal that would have let him avoid prison time. Dino told the judge he wants a trial.

Dino, who was in the program for several episodes, is now facing 88 years in prison over eight drug-related offences. This includes alleged drug conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and perjury. According to reports, investigators used a wiretap to gather evidence that allegedly showed his involvement in the smuggling of cocaine.

According to WPRI 12Dino told the judge he wants a trial — rejecting the plea deal that would have kept him out of jail.

He said no to Assistant Attorney General Jim Baum‘s plea offer Thursday – before Rhode Island Superior Court Magistrate Judge Gina Lopez.

“My client rejected the offer because he absolutely maintains his innocence,” Dino’s lawyer said John Calcagni after the court.

Dino was charged in early 2022. His attorney blamed the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office for the delay.

“The court had absolutely no influence on the delay in this case,” the lawyer said. “It took a long time for the attorney general’s office, current administration, to extend an offer, and that’s why this case has dragged on as long as it has.”

But a spokesman for the Minister of Justice mentioned Tim Rondeau claimed the delay was due to motions, hearings and “requests for continuances from both sides.”

“When the Defense Department requested a proposal earlier this year, this office took the time necessary to evaluate what we believed would be an appropriate solution,” Rondeau said in a statement. “As became clear in court today, the defendant was not interested in accepting the state’s offer, as is his right, and we are prepared to proceed accordingly.”

Before he was first changed, Rhode Island State Police Detective Matthew Lynch in a search warrant affidavit alleged that Dino had ties to organized crime members, which included an alleged mob captain named Matthew Guigliemetti. Dino’s attorney said those claims are “patently false.”

“If anybody knows anything about organized crime, people will tell you that organized crime is dead — it’s in the pages of history,” said Calcagni, who called Dino “a prominent member of his community.”

“I know Dino has personal friendships with some of the people that are on (RHORI),” Calcagni continued. “However, this case has continued to receive media coverage since day one, particularly because of the false statements contained in the court order implicating Dino and membership in organized crime, drug trafficking, and many, many other defamatory and false statements.”