Aponte was charged with spending $13,942 from his campaign account on personal expenses between 2013 and 2015, the year he became city council president. Aponte’s resignation appears to be the final stop in a years-long saga, which began in 2016 when the State Board of Elections reviewed Aponte’s campaign finances and referred the matter to the Attorney General. At the time, Aponte owed thousands in campaign finance fines.

In addition to stepping down from office, Aponte was sentenced to suspended 4½-year sentence, with 4½ years of probation.

Aponte got his start in politics in the 1990s as an activist pushing for better Latino representation in politics. He was first elected to the City Council in 1998.

Reporter John Bender was the general assignment reporter for The Public's Radio for several years. He is now a fill-in host when our regular hosts are out.

Scott MacKay retired in December, 2020.With a B.A. in political science and history from the University of Vermont and a wealth of knowledge of local politics, it was a given that Scott MacKay would become...

Veteran newsman Dave Fallon is behind the microphone Monday through Friday afternoons, delivering the newscasts and assisting with other production. Dave’s experience includes work as a reporter, anchor,...