Fraud allegations made against non-profit with ties to Gallison

May 4, 2016 10:14 pm

A Providence attorney is outraged after learning her name and signature have been used by a non-profit organization connected to former State Rep. Ray Gallison.

A paper trail shows Aubrey Lombardo listed as President for Alternative Educational Programming on forms with the Secretary of State’s office from 2009 to 2015 and also on IRS paperwork.

Lombardo tells ABC 6 News she has nothing to do with the non-profit and just learned that her name was being used in the wake of the Gallison scandal.

The discovery of the forms comes one day after the former Finance Chair submitted his resignation in the midst of a federal probe that we’re told has at least something to do with prostitution.

Lombardo worked for AEP in the early 2000’s over the summer while she was in college and Law School. She says in 2008 she was asked to be on the board, but only attended one meeting.

Lombardo says she last saw Gallison, who is the Assistant Director of the non–profit, at a funeral in 2009.

"I just can’t believe this is happening,” said Lombardo. "I’m shocked by this. I’m shocked by all of it. I thought that he was a good boss and a decent person."

We spoke with two other people listed as board members on these filings who say they are not part of the non–profit and had no idea they were being listed as such.

Victor Capellan saying, “It’s sad to me.” He cites the great work that the founder of the organization was able to accomplish. Leo Di Maio is still listed as the Executive Director and Founder on the website, but he passed away in 2014.

“I had nothing to do with it," said Faith Orabona who is listed as a board member.

On April 7th a filing was made into the Secretary of State’s Office changing not only the president’s name, but also the rest of the leadership positions.

Lombardo tells ABC 6 News she has been in contact with law enforcement officials.

It’s not clear at this point if these fraud allegations have anything to do with the current federal probe into Gallison.

The Former Bristol Rep has had two known problems over financial reporting with the state. The Executive Director of Common Cause RI pointing to a fine earlier this year for failing to keep proper track of campaign receipts and another fine in 2007 for not reporting his income from the non–profit which came from a grant from the state legislature.

"I’ve called it a canary in the coal mine. We’ve known for some time Representative Gallison has had problems and it seems like those signs were ignored,” said John Marion.