Grand Jury Indictment: Carnevale Lied to Board of Canvassers

PROVIDENCE, RI —Former state Rep. John Carnevale is being accused of lying to the Providence Board of Canvassers, the state Attorney General's Office said today.

The Providence County Grand Jury was investigating the issues about Carnevale's correct address. He claimed to live in Providence and be eligible to represent his district, but questions arose about whether he actually was living in Johnston.

The Grand Jury reported out a secret and sealed indictment yesterday charging John Carnevale, 55, of Providence with three counts of first degree perjury and one count of filing a false document, said Amy Kempe, spokeswoman for the state Attorney General's office.

"The indictment was unsealed this morning when Carnevale was arraigned before Superior Court Magistrate Patricia Harwood," she said. "Magistrate Harwood set bail at $50,000 personal recognizance and set Feb. 23 for a pretrial conference."

"The State alleges that Carnevale committed perjury when he lied to the Providence Board of Canvassers on July 13, 2016 and July 28, 2016 about his residence for voting purposes, rental income he earned from a property in Johnston, and his use of the first floor apartment at 150 Barbara St., according to the press release.

"It is further alleged that he knowingly filed a Declaration of Homestead form on March 13, 2012 that contained a false, erroneous or defective statement."