Providence city councilor fined for campaign finance violations. Here's how he responded.

Providence Councilman Juan Pichardo is speaking out about a newly-released Rhode Island Board of Elections audit that found he committed a list of campaign finance violations by failing to properly disclose nearly $25,000 in contributions and expenses.

In a statement released Wednesday, Pichardo – the council's president pro tempore and a former state Senator – said he took full responsibility.

"I deeply regret any inconvenience or disappointment caused to my constituents due to the incomplete record-keeping," he said. "I want you to know I'm committed to fixing these mistakes and ensuring compliance. I have actively collaborated with the Board of Elections and have fully cooperated by providing all necessary documents to the best of my ability."

What did the audit find?

The Board of Elections said it initiated the audit in February "due to a large discrepancy between the balance in his campaign bank account and the balance reported on his campaign finance report as of December 31, 2022."

The audit found several violations, including Pichardo's failure to properly disclose more than $14,000 in contributions on campaign finance reports, and his acceptance of $275 in contributions from anonymous sources. The Board also said Pichardo failed to properly disclose roughly $10,000 in expenses on his campaign finance reports.

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As a result, the Board fined Pichardo $3,000, half of which he said he has already paid. The rest is due by the end of December 2024.

"My campaign finance reporting is complete and accurate through the first quarter of 2023," Pichardo said. "I understand the importance of maintaining proper records and acknowledging the sources of campaign funds. To prevent such issues in the future, I will appoint a campaign treasurer and hire the expertise of a certified public accountant to ensure my campaign reporting is accurate, compliant, and transparent."

More: Facing prosecution? Providence City Council candidate accused of campaign finance violations

Pichardo is not the first politician to face an incriminating audit of his time running for a Providence City Council seat. Last year, Gerard Catala, who launched a failed bid for Ward 9, faced an audit that uncovered numerous violations. The case was subsequently sent to the Attorney General's office for possible prosecution. Catala is now to head of the city's local NAACP chapter.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Councilman Juan Pichardo fined for campaign finance violations