PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The government watchdog group Common Cause says a newspaper ad that attacks Providence Mayor Angel Taveras in his bid for governor violates a pledge the three Democratic candidates made not to benefit from ads paid for by outside money.
Under terms of the “People’s Pledge,” any candidate who benefits from an outside group’s advertising must make a donation to charity in the amount of the ad buy.
The Providence Journal reports that the Providence Fraternal Order of Police has run an ad for two days in the newspaper that goes after Taveras for his record in the city.
Under the pledge terms, the campaigns of Gina Raimondo and Clay Pell must split a donation to charity for the cost of the ad, which the Journal reported was around $1,200. Both Raimondo and Pell say they will make the donations.
