When Mayor Frank Picozzi first ran for mayor he declared he wouldn't take money from any political action committees, also known as PACs.  

But after some thought, Picozzi decided that he would take funds and then donate those funds to different charitable organizations.  

“As you know the Mayor is a very generous person to our community and organizations that support our community,” said Campaign Treasurer Jeanne Muto-Kyle. “He has donated all PAC funds received to 501(C)3 charities as allowed by RI Campaign Finance Rules.” 

During the second quarter campaign finance period which stretches from April 1 to June 30 Picozzi collected $2,250 in PAC funds.  

The PACs include the Good Government PAC which is under House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and his sister’s name, along with the Warwick Firefighters PAC, and the Warwick FOP Lodge #7 PAC.  

In October the Good Government PAC donated $500 to Picozzi's campaign according to his January campaign finance report. On July 26 that report was amended to reflect that the donation came from the PAC instead of from Shekarchi personally. 

Muto- Kyle said at the end of the reporting deadline only $450 was distributed.  

“However, the majority of the donations relating to the PAC funds were mailed over the weekend to Ten (10) local charities in the amount of $250 each,” Muto- Kyle said in an email.”  These donations will be reported on the 3rd quarter campaign finance report as the checks were written after July 1st.” 

Asked about the process,  Muto- Kyle said that it is random and “two-fold. 

“First, I ran a list of all active 501(c)3 with Warwick Connections using information publicly available. In fairness to all - I removed all religious, individual sports leagues, and PTOs /PTAs,” said Muto- Kyle. “With so many Warwick Families currently receiving services and support from The Tomorrow Fund, the Mayor chose this as his choice.  The remaining nine (9) charities were selected randomly by pulling names from a box.”   

The following organizations received $250 checks each:   

1.  Mentor RI  

2. Live Like Russ Foundation 

3.  Robert J Shapiro Foundation for Warwick Schools. 

4.  Tomorrow Fund 

5.  Gianna Cirella Memorial Fund 

6.  Greenwood Vol Fire Company 

7.  VOWS (Volunteers of Warwick Schools) 

8.  Elizabeth Buffum Chase Center 

9.  Warwick PAL 

10.  Friends of Warwick Animal Shelter 

In addition to the $2,750 in funds that Picozzi received from PACs his campaign donated an additional $200. 

Picozzi's campaign made a $250 donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and a $200 donation to the Keep Teaching Foundation.  

Picozzi brings In close to $40K  

During the reporting period Picozzi’s campaign raised just shy of $40,000 and netted a total of just under $60,000 after expenses.  

Out of that amount a large share came from city employees for a total of just under $12,000.  

Three members of the City Council donated to Picozzi this cycle including Ward 8 Councilman Anthony Sinapi and Ward 6 Councilwoman Donna Travis who donated $150 each. Ward 9 Councilman Vincent Gebhart donated $250, and Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur donated $125.  

Four former Warwick mayors also donated to Picozzi’s campaign this reporting period including Joe Walsh who donated $250, Phil Noel who donated $300, Lincoln Chafee $200, and RIPTA CEO  Scott Avedisian  $50.  

Elected officials outside of the Council who donated this period are state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton Fung, who is also the wife of current Congressional candidate Allan Fung, along with Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena  who donated $250. Fenton Fung donated $100. Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey donated $200.  

Candidates for office that donated to Picozzi this period included Senate District 31 candidate Matt LaMountain who donated $125, Ward 4 candidate Mike Penta who donated $250, and Leah Hazelwood who is running for School Committee in District 2 who donated $65. Mark McKenney who is running in Senate District 30 donated $100.  

Other notable donors include Superintendent Lynn Damburch and Assistant Superintendent Bill McCaffrey who both donated $125. Former City Solicitor Peter Ruggerio donated $250 and former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino donated $125. 

Picozzi also raised just over $2,600 from various aggregate donors during the reporting period.  

One School Committee member David Testa donated to Picozzi this reporting period, who donated $100.