Former State Representative John Carnevale pleads guilty to perjury

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced Wednesday that John Carnevale, 56, of Providence, pleaded nolo contendere to one count of perjury before Superior Court Justice Bennett Gallo.

Under the terms of the plea, Carnevale was sentenced to five years with nine months to serve on home confinement and the remainder suspended with probation. Justice Gallo set August 22, 2018 as the date for imposition of sentence, pending Department of Correction confirmation Carnevale is eligible for home confinement. At yesterday morning’s court proceeding, the State put on the record that it recommended jail time for Carnevale.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the state was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Carnevale, while serving as state representative from District 13, perjured himself at a July 13, 2016 hearing of the City of Providence Board of Canvassers when he lied under oath three times in response to questions stating he resided at 150 Barbara Street, Providence.

“When elected officials lie, whether it be to a public body like the Board of Canvassers or the people they are elected to serve, it erodes the public’s faith in all government,” said Attorney General Kilmartin. “Despite this defendant’s arrogance and attitude that he was untouchable, today’s plea proves just the opposite: no one is above the law. It is my hope that today’s plea will help restore some of the public’s trust, knowing that police and prosecutors will continue to hold our public officials accountable for their actions.”

Rhode Island State Police Detective Jim Brown led the investigation and Assistant Attorney General Daniel Carr Guglielmo prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.

In 2016, news reports from sources such as WPRI investigated whether Carnevale lived in a home at 150 Barbara St. or one owned in Johnston and has reportedly since been sold. The Johnston home was outside of the district he served.

While Carnevale recently threw his hat back into the race for his previous seat, the retired Providence police officer’s plea now makes him ineligible to run under state law.