City Councilman Kevin Jackson indicted on embezzlement, other charges

July 13, 2016 2:57 pm

By News Staff

news@abc6.com

Former Providence City Council Majority Leader Kevin Jackson has been indicted by a grand jury, charged with two counts of unlawful appropriation, one count of embezzlement, one count of filing a false document with a government entity, and one count of personal use of campaign funds.

He is accused of unlawfully embezzling more than $127,000 from a city youth program he founded and for spending more than $12,000 in campaign funds. It is alleged that Jackson received nearly $70,000 from multiple city sources over the past decade for a youth program he’s accused of embezzling money from.

"It’s very discouraging for someone that has that much power and authority you want to be able to trust them to do the right thing," said Providence resident Jerry Lenau.

"For him to take advantage of that for his own personal benefit is unfortunate because he claims to be a role model and purports himself as a role model and that’s clearly not what he was. I think it’s disappointing for the community and disappointing for the kids," said Providence resident Latif Thomas.

Jackson was arrested in May. In the wake of that he resigned from his leadership post and his role on the finance committee, but not his seat. His attorney telling ABC 6 News on Wednesday that he still has no plans to do so.

City Council President Luis Aponte said Wednesday that Jackson will remain a member until he resigns.

“As elected officials, it is imperative that we are held to the highest standards of integrity and accountability. If the allegations against Councilman Jackson are true, they are simply unacceptable and the people of Providence deserve better," said Mayor Jorge Elorza.

Rhode Island State Police conducted the investigation. Jackson is scheduled to be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court in August.