Providence councilor steps down from Finance Committee

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence city councilor has stepped down from his position on the Finance Committee effective immediately.

Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo had to pay a fine for campaign finance violations last month.

“I hold a deep respect for our institution and ultimately believe that, at this time, I can best assist the committee’s work in an advisory capacity,” Pichardo said. “I am proud of the work we have accomplished as a committee this year and look forward to the work ahead on behalf of our constituents.”

The Board of Election initiated an audit into Pichardo’s campaign in February due to a “large discrepancy” between his campaign account balance and his campaign finance report balance as of Dec. 31 of last year.

The audit found several violations, including $3,795.65 worth of contributions reported on Pichardo’s campaign bank account but not on his campaign finance reports and $10,628 that were “disclosed inaccurately or incompletely” on his campaign finance reports.

Pichardo was then required to pay a fine of $3,000. He also said that he “deeply regretted the errors.”

City Council President Rachel Miller accepted Pichardo’s resignation and thanked him for his work over the past six months.

“There is more to accomplish, and Pro Tempore Pichardo is an integral part of the council team,” she said.