An ethics complaint has been filed against a Cranston lawmaker in connection with a bid on state beach concession contracts.

Common Cause Rhode Island alleges state Rep. Peter Palumbo (D-16) was in violation of the Code of Ethics – which restricts state employment and contract work by General Assembly members – when he submitted a bid in September 2013 to handle concessions at three state beaches.

“We do not take this step lightly,” John Marion, Common Cause’s executive director, said in a statement. “But clearly Representative Palumbo has run afoul of our ethics laws and needs to be held accountable for his actions … By controlling the state budget, members of the Assembly control the purse stings, and shouldn’t be allowed to stick their hands in the same purse for personal gain.”

Palumbo – who did not return a message seeking comment on the situation, and has declined to speak with multiple other media outlets – was awarded the bid last year to run concessions at Scarborough, Roger Wheeler and Misquamicut beaches after submitting a proposal that would have paid the state more than $1.7 million for the right to oversee the services. After being notified of his bid’s selection, however, Palumbo withdrew the offer and said the figures provided to the state contained a clerical error.

As a result, the contract was awarded to former state Rep. David Caprio, who hired Palumbo to manage the concession stands at the beaches.

Rhode Island State Police are now investigating the beach concession contracts, and the story has garnered much attention in the media. Caprio has also stepped down as chairman of the state’s Democratic Party.

The Providence Journal has reported that Palumbo previously served as vice president of a company that won contracts to operate concessions at Scarborough and Misquamicut.

The state’s Ethics Commission is scheduled to discuss the Common Cause complaint later this month.

Palumbo, a former member of the Cranston City Council, was first elected to the General Assembly in 1994. He is facing a challenge from Republican Robert B. Lancia as he seeks a new term in November’s election.