State Rep. failed to report almost $20K taken from campaign account

By: News Staff // Reporting by Kirsten Glavin

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A long-time State Rep. is in hot water after failing to report $20,000 taken out from her campaign account.

According to a campaign finance audit obtained by ABC6 News, between January 1st 2010 and December 31st 2014, Rep. Anastasia Williams didn’t account for $20,000 in withdrawals from her campaign account.

Williams claims she was repaying herself for campaign expenses she paid personally.  She also failed to report nearly $15,000 in contributions from PACS and individuals.

"It’s an ongoing list of folks who have been in trouble for this,” said Vimala Phongsavanh, Assistant Director of Common Cause RI.

Most recently, Cranston Representative Peter Palumbo, along with Providence city councilors Luis Aponte and Kevin Jackson were all arrested for issues with mis-reporting campaign money.

Former House Speaker Gordon Fox remains in federal prison, while former House Finance Chair Ray Gallison is on his way.

Phongsavanh said Wednesday that the process of how campaign money is monitored needs to change.  "Sometimes it takes these bad apples to be caught, to change a system,” she said.

Phongsavanh explained that the current rules are loose and easy to get around. Governor Gina Raimondo has suggested routine audits of politicians who raise and spend over $10,000.  It’s an idea that Common Cause RI has shown support for.

"You’ll start to see behavior change with folks filing their campaign reports on time, folks paying their fines…” said Phongsavanh. "I think there’s going to be a shift in culture, especially with a lot of these people getting caught now."

The Board of Elections has asked the Attorney General’s office to investigate Williams of possible campaign violations.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017