Priya Patel
TLDR:
- Providence NAACP President Gerard Catala found guilty of campaign finance violations
- Attorney General Peter Neronha criticized Catala for repeatedly ignoring campaign finance laws
The head of the Providence NAACP, Gerard Catala, has been found guilty of two counts of campaign finance violations for failing to file campaign finance reports. District Court Judge Anthony Capraro handed down the verdict, sentencing Catala to 20 hours of community service with the possibility of expungement if he stays out of trouble for one year. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha criticized Catala for blatantly disregarding campaign finance laws and emphasized that failure to file such reports can lead to criminal prosecution.
Background and Details:
The case against Catala stemmed from a 2022 campaign finance audit covering the period from January 2018 to June 2021, during which Catala ran for Providence City Council. The audit revealed several violations, including failure to file reports, bank account statements, and accurate records of contributions and expenditures. The Board of Elections referred the matter to the Attorney General’s office and the Rhode Island State Police for investigation due to Catala’s repeated failures to comply with filing requirements.
In addition to the campaign finance violations, Catala has faced legal issues in the past. In August 2023, he was charged with simple assault for allegedly beating a Providence man, a charge that was later dismissed by the city solicitor when they couldn’t reach the alleged victim. Despite these challenges, Catala remains adamant that the findings are just allegations and not a concern for him.
