By WPRO News and The Associated Press
A former Rhode Island lawmaker has pleaded no contest and will pay more than $31,000 to settle charges he embezzled money from his campaign account.
Attorney General Peter Kilmartin said former Rep. Peter Palumbo entered the plea Monday to one count of unlawful appropriation over $1,000.
Under the terms of the deal, Palumbo received a three year sentence, suspended with probation.
“He’s glad it’s over,” said Palumbo’s attorney Peter Petrarca.
“He’s admitted that at one point he did have a gambling issue, which he sought help for,” said Petrarca, a fellow former member of the General Assembly.
Palumbo was also ordered to pay $31,150 in restitution to the State of Rhode Island, with $10,000 paid at the time of the plea and the remainder paid in monthly installments of not less than $587.
As part of the deal, the state agreed to dismiss one count of embezzlement and one count of personal use of campaign funds.
“Short of going to a trial, which I did not recommend just because of the time and the angst it would take, this is the best resolution we could have hoped for with the state,” said Petrarca.
“The public demands and deserves their elected officials abide by the law, including our campaign finance laws,” Attorney General Peter Kilmartin said in a statement.
“When they break the law, like former Representative Palumbo admitted doing, they break the trust of their constituents and build contempt for our government as a whole,” said Kilmartin.
The 56-year-old Cranston Democrat lost his re-election campaign in 2014.
“He’s got two children with autism, and he’s just looking forward to getting back to his family and taking care of his kids,” said Petrarca.
