By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Long-serving Providence City Councilman Luis Aponte must resign his seat as he strikes a plea deal with the state Attorney General’s office, pleading “no contest” to a single count of embezzling funds from his campaign account to pay personal expenses.

The deal includes a 4 1/2 year suspended prison sentence, 4/12 years of probation, and an agreement that he resign his seat on the city council. Aponte was elected to the city council in 1998.

“Using one’s campaign fund to pay personal expenses is a form of public corruption because it may lead to improper influence over official acts, particularly by large-scale donors to whom the public official may feel particularly indebted,” said Attorney General Peter Neronha in a statement.

There was no comment from Aponte, who rose to the presidency of the city council. The woman who now holds that position, Sabina Matos issued a statement, which reads in part:

“As public servants, we are held to a higher standard and Councilman Aponte’s resignation is a necessary and important step forward.”

The Attorney General’s office said Aponte admitted embezzling money, and spent $13,942.29 from his campaign account, “Friends of Luis Aponte” on gas, cable TV, Netflix, Xbox Live and iTunes bills.