Providence Council Candidate Violated Campaign Finance Law: Audit

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Board of Elections found multiple violations of campaign finance law during an audit of the campaign of former city council candidate Gerard Catala.

The board was light on details of what they found, but noted that the case has been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for "consideration and possible prosecution."

"The Board is responsible for enforcing Rhode Island campaign finance laws, and will take whatever actions permissible under law to ensure compliance by candidates and committees," they said.

Catala, who ran for council in Ward 9 in 2018, appears to be campaigning again in 2022.

He ran as an Independent in 2018, but was defeated by Democrat Carmen Castillo, who secured 75 percent of the vote, according to Ballotpedia.