PROVIDENCE – Former Rep. Peter Palombo, D-Cranston, appeared in Providence District Court Jan. 19 after being arrested by R.I. State Police and charged with embezzling campaign funds and filing false documents, WLNE-TV ABC 6 reported.
An audit by the Board of Elections found Palombo could not account for nearly $60,000 in campaign money.
The report also stated Palombo withdrew $16,000 from casino ATMs over the last five years.
Palombo was released on $5,000 personal recognizance.
Palombo lost his House seat in 2014, but is still under investigation by the R.I. Ethics Commission for allegedly violating ethics rules when bidding on beach-concession contracts.
If convicted of the embezzlement charge, he could face up to 10 years in prison. •