Former Bristol Representative-Elect Charged With Embezzlement

BRISTOl, RI — A former state representative-elect has been charged with embezzling money to fund his political campaign. On Thursday, the Rhode Island State Police announced the arrest of 26-year-old Laufton Ascencao, who was set to represent District 68 in the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

The Rhode Island Board of Elections opened an investigation into Ascencao, also known as Laufton Longo, to determine if he illegally used funds from the Sierra Club's Rhode Island chapter, Ascencao served as treasurer. According to the State Police, he wrote 15 checks totaling $16,379.70 that were used to cover campaign costs without the club's knowledge or permission.

The Board of Election's audit, dated February 2019, reads in part: "Ascencao, in his capacity as Treasurer of the RI Chapter of Sierra Club, a position he held from January 2017 until December 2018, diverted or expended funds of Sierra Club to pay expenses related to his candidacy, to pay rent for the benefit of a RI-registered Political Action Committee (RI Working Families), and to pay expenses for a candidate related event sponsored by the same RI-registered Political

Action Committee (RI Working Families)."

On Thursday, Ascencao was arrested and arraigned at Sixth Division District Court on charges of embezzlement. He was released on $10,000 personal recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court next on December 6. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison, up to $50,000 in fines or three times the amount stolen, or both.

Campaigning on a platform for universal healthcare, increasing the minimum wage and investments in clean energy, the progressive-leaning Democrat was endorsed by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence and profiled by RIFuture.org, which describes itself as a "progressive political blog that strives to speak truth to power, stick up for the oppressed and ignored and tell interesting and entertaining stories about the Ocean State."

In 2018, Ascencao won decisive victories in both the Democratic primary and general election, winning 64 percent of votes over his opponent, Libertarian candidate William Hunt, Jr. Democrat June Speakman once again defeated Hunt in a special election to replace Ascencao on March 5.