Kevin Jackson arraigned in superior court
By Bianca Buono
@BBuonoABC6
A longtime Providence city councilor accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a youth sports program he started faced a judge Wednesday. Kevin Jackson was arraigned on five charges.
Those include embezzlement, filing a false document with a government entity, personal use of campaign funds, and two counts of unlawful appropriation.
Jackson, who’s been on the council since 1995, was arraigned on the same charges back in May but the Attorney General’s office sent the case to a grand jury.
Prosecutors say Jackson stole more than $127,000 from a youth sports organization called the Providence Cobras Track and Field Club. He founded the organization back in the ‘70s.
He’s accused of using the money for both campaign and personal expenses.
Jackson’s attorney says he’s still working with the Cobras today and has no plans to step down from the city council.
"He’s plead not guilty on all five counts and he’s continuing to do good work serving on the city council and good work on the Providence Cobras,” said Artin Coloian, Jackson’s attorney.
A pretrial hearing is set for December 14th but Jackson’s attorney says this will take some time.
"This is just another step in a very long process,” said Coloian.
Jackson has resigned form his leadership role on the council and from the finance committee. The city council president has said unless he resigns, Jackson will remain in office.
© WLNE-TV 2016
