Cranston Mayoral Candidate Takes Illegal Campaign Loan From Spouse

Cranston Mayoral Candidate Takes Illegal Campaign Loan From Spouse

Republican-turned-Democrat Robert Ferri is running for Mayor of Cranston and according to his recently filed quarterly campaign finance report, Ferri accepted a $5,000 loan from his wife.

According to the Rhode Island Board of Election’s regulations. and confirmed in an interview with Richard Thorton, Director of Campaign Finance for the BOE, the loan from Denise Ferri on his campaign finance report is illegal. 

“That loan is in excess of the amount an individual can donate or loan to a campaign. By statute, a loan is a contribution until it is repaid,” said Thorton.

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Only the candidates themselves can loan their campaigns an unlimited amount.

Individuals can only donate $2,000 by statute.

Ferri and his campaign consultant, Michael Beauregard, refused to respond to calls, texts, and emails.

Beauregard of Systems Change Strategies (SCS) serves as the Ferric Campaign Manager.  SCS is a Cranston-based strategic consulting firm. 

This is the second controversy involving Ferri in the second quarter’s campaign filing. READ MORE HERE.