Republican leaders in Rhode Island are asking state education officials to investigate an aide whose family members were given free tuition.

State GOP Chairman Brandon Bell says former state Rep. Frank Montanaro, who now serves as a top aide to House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, benefited from free tuition from Rhode Island College while he was on leave.

Montanaro worked at Rhode Island College for 27 years. However, his family members received free tuition the past three years while he was working full time for the General Assembly.

Bell has requested an Audit Report to determine if the tuition waivers were improperly granted.

Montanaro says he was entitled to free tuition under his union contract.

The acting Commissioner of Postsecondary Education Brenda Dann-Messier says the office is reviewing the case.