(Providence, RI)--The state of Rhode Island is increasing efforts to collect unpaid fines.The Boston Globe reports the state has filed lawsuits against about two-dozen individuals who have been fined, including former Providence City Councilor Luis Aponte; he was fined by the Rhode Island Ethics Commission last year following an investigation that led to him stepping down.The Department of Revenue's Central Collections Unit, established by state legislators last year, estimates it could go after 12-million dollars in outstanding debt, according to a spokesperson.