Top State House Staffer Changes Ethics Financial Disclosure After GoLocal Report
GoLocalProv News Team
Top State House Staffer Changes Ethics Financial Disclosure After GoLocal Report
Besides his full-time position with the state, Colon works as an interpreter and bail bondsman.
But since the GoLocal report, Colon has filed a late financial disclosure report with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission and amended previously filed reports.
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Multiple Jobs and Disclosure
Both Colon and Shekarchi defended the three-job practice.
GoLocal pointed out to Shekarchi that Colon didn't disclose the interpreting business on the Ethics Financial Disclosure forms at any time.
“I would say that he, first of all, I would tell you it's the very first I've heard of this, that this is not disclosed, [and] that the ethics commission is more than capable of making their own decision,” said Shekarchi.
“I guess if he did not comply with the ethics report, he should comply. Everybody should comply. And I will instruct him to do so, and I'm sure that if you run an article about it, the Ethics Commission will begin some kind of a review process," said Shekarchi.
Shekarchi added, “It's not my job to defend him in any kind of an action with the Ethics Commission.”
Since the GoLocal investigation, Colon has amended multiple years of financial disclosure reports.
According to the Ethics Commission database, Colon has now:
- Filed his 2024 Financial Disclosure Report
- Amended his 2023 Financial Disclosure Report — it now reflects his income for his interpreting business
- Amend his 2022 Financial Disclosure Report — it now reflects his income for his interpreting business
Both Shekarchi and Colon claim that his work as an interpreter and bail bondsman is done outside of his state position—alleging he does it before work hours, at lunchtime, and after work hours.