RI Ethics Commission Will Not Pursue DeSimone Complaint
GoLocalProv News Team
RI Ethics Commission Will Not Pursue DeSimone Complaint
The Rhode Island Progressive Democrats had filed the complaint with the Commission last week regarding what they said was DeSimone’s "failure to disclose his indebtedness to the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island for unpaid property taxes, and for his failure to disclose his income derived from the city and state for his role with United Providence, an organization that received hundreds of thousands of dollars in legislative grants in recent years."
Jason Gramitt with the Ethics Commission deemed Tuesday the facts as presented were not "sufficient to support any willful violation" on the part of DeSimone.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The dismissal was without prejudice, however, which means they can refile," said Gramitt. "But that could not take place now during the election season, since the new law stipulates the 90 day blackout period. They would have to refile after."
Progressive Dems Respond
Sam Bell with the Progressive Democrats responded to the decision on Tuesday.
"This is exactly what's wrong with the blackout period -- so we won't have a hearing. It was dismissed on technical grounds. This is why politicians like DeSimone and [Speaker Mattiello] pushed for the blackout period," said Bell. "My guess is after the election there will have been a whole bunch of ethics issues that haven't received scrutiny. There are a lot of issues that have been simmering. I'm expecting to see a flurry of complaints, and I'm not sure what [our] priority will be."
"I think there's something wrong with politicians who can set policy -- such as changing the penalties for tax delinquents -- that someone like DeSimone can put in that bill before it was disclosed he himself was a tax delinquent," said Bell. "It's a classic case of why we need more, not less, disclosure."
Providence Elected Officials with Ethics Problems - 2016
Financial Disclosure
State Representative Anastasia Williams
In May of this year, GOP Chair Brandon Bell filed an ethics complaint against Williams for failing to disclose her employment with the city of Providence on her state financial disclosure form.
In 2014, the ousted Executive Director of the John Hope Settlement House alleged that Board President Rep. Williams had used the house for political purposes, without compensating the organization, including holding a campaign event for then-Democratic candidate for Governor Gina Raimondo.
GoLocal reported that Williams appointed former discredited head of ProCAP, Frank Corbishley, to serve as the interim Executive Director in the wake of former Director Taino Palermo's sudden departure, when Palermo challenged Williams' leadership.
Voter Fraud?
State Representative John Carnevale
The Providence Board of Canvassers on Tuesday voted to investigate whether Carnevale actually lives in his legislative district, after the GOP's Brandon Bell had filed another complaint, following a WPRI-12 investigation that unveiled questions about whether Carnevale actually lived in Johnston rather than Providence.
The Board of Canvassers determined that there is “reasonable cause” to suspect he may be living outside his district, and, thus, he is ineligible to vote in his district.
Campaign Finance
Councilman Kevin Jackson
In May, Jackson was arrested by Rhode Island State Police reportedly for campaign finance violations and financial issues tied to the Providence Cobras track team, according to sources.
Jackson is the longest serving member of the Council, have been elected in 1994. He had served as the Majority Leader of the City Council, before he stepped down from his position as Majority Leader last month.
Tax Issues
State Representative Tom Palangio
By his own admission, he may owe the State more than $127,000 in back taxes. He represents District 3 and is expected to run for re-election. He is facing at least one announced Democratic primary opponent.
Tax Issues
State Representative John DeSimone
Not an ethics violations, but questions were raised when DeSimone's home and business were on the tax sale list for non-payment.
