Not only did North Providence Mayor A. Ralph Mollis attend the funeral of Robert A. Barbato, but Mollis also accepted campaign contributions from Barbato -- $1,125 since 2004, as far back as Board of Elections online records go.

Mollis said Barbato has been a regular contributor to his campaigns throughout his 20-year political career, first as town councilman and then as mayor. Barbato also contributed to Mollis' current campaign, for secretary of state: Board of Elections records show that Barbato gave $125 on June 19, about a month before he died.

Asked whether he saw any problem with accepting campaign contributions from a known mob associate, Mollis said, "As far as I'm concerned, I accepted campaign contributions from a longtime friend."

Mollis said he has never returned a contribution based on mob ties or a criminal record. "We don't do background checks on individuals who contribute to us," he said. "I can't tell you what their convictions are or were."

He also said he would not pledge to return such contributions now. "If I'm uncomfortable with a contribution for any reason, that's something I would handle privately," he said.

Asked whether he feels the character of his contributors reflects on his own character as an elected official, Mollis said, "If that's the case, then when law enforcement officials and judicial officials of high regard and elected officials with incredible reputations contribute to me, then where is the media calling me, saying, 'What an impeccable reputation of the people who contribute to you' ?"

egudrais@projo.com / (401) 277-7045