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October 2, 2006

Poll: Chafee, Whitehouse neck and neck

A poll released today shows that the candidates battling for the state's U.S. Senate seat are neck-in-neck -- based on those who say they've decided -- with the election just five weeks away.

The survey, taken between Sept. 25 and Sept. 28, shows that 42 percent support Democratic candidate Sheldon Whitehouse, while 41 percent endorse incumbent Republican Lincoln Chafee, and 17 percent were undecided. The difference between the candidates is within the poll's 4 percent margin of error.

A Brown University poll released last month also characterized the race as a dead heat with Whitehouse holding the slimmest of leads, 40 to 39 percent with 21 percent undecided.

The latest poll of 625 registered voters was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, of Washington, D.C.

And for the second consecutive poll, Mason-Dixon found that Governor Carcieri has a double digit lead over his Democratic challenger, Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty. Carcieri leads 50 percent to 34 percent with 16 percent undecided.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:19 PM | Comment

Update: Chief not worried by possible Harrah's sale

Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas says he's not concerned by news that Harrah's Entertainment Inc. may be bought by two private-equity firms.

"Harrah’s has advised me that it remains 100 percent committed to the Narragansett Indian Tribe as its chosen partner, to the people of Rhode Island, and to building the Narragansett Indian Casino," Thomas said in a statement released this afternoon.

"This is, and has always been, about the Narragansett Indian Tribe. And that fact is ensured in the constitutional amendment that stipulates that the Narragansett Indian Casino will be owned and operated 'by the Narragansett Indian Tribe and its chosen partner,'” he continued, quoting the proposed amendment that voters will decide on in November.

Harrah's, the company that's trying to build a West Warwick casino with the Narragansett Indians, said today it has has received a $15.05 billion offer for the company from private-equity firms Apollo Management and Texas Pacific Group.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

It was not immediately clear whether the bid would have any effect on its efforts in Rhode Island. A related constitutional amendment that will appear on November's statewide ballot does not specifically name Harrah's.

The private-equity firms are offering $81 per share in cash, a 22 percent premium to Harrah's closing stock price on Friday on the New York Stock Exchange. After the news, Harrah's shares surged $9.19, or 14 percent, to $75.62 in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Harrah's said it has established a special committee of independent directors to review the offer and has retained UBS Securities LLC as an adviser.

Extra: Read more about the casino debate in Rhode Island.

Harrah's is the world's largest casino company. It operates about 40 casinos, including Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, its namesake chain, Bally's, Horseshoe, Showboat and other brands throughout the country. The Las Vegas-based company beefed up its portfolio with last year's purchase of Caesars Entertainment Inc.

Also today, Harrah's said it entered a deal with a unit of Boyd Gaming Corp. to exchange about 24 contiguous acres that Harrah's controls on the Las Vegas Strip for Boyd's Barbary Coast Hotel and Casino. Financial terms for that deal were not disclosed.

The real-estate transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2007, subject to customary closing conditions, including government approvals. Boyd said it expects to see a non-cash gain of about $280 million in the quarter the deal closes.

-- staff and wire reports

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:51 PM | Comment

Update: RWMC corruption case in jury's hands

PROVIDENCE -- The Roger Williams Medical Center corruption case has gone to the jury.

After a full day of closing arguments by the various lawyers, followed by an hour of legal instructions from the judge, a jury of eight women and four men officially received the case at 4:15 p.m.

About 15 minutes later, they returned to the courtroom, having opted not to stay late and deliberate, and Chief U.S. District Ernest C. Torres adjourned for the day.

Due to a death in the family of one juror, there will be no deliberations tomorrow. The jury will reconvene on Wednesday morning.

Robert A. Urciuoli, the former president of Roger Williams, is on trial along with former hospital executive Frances P. Driscoll and former Village at Elmhurst partner Peter J. Sangermano. The three are charged with stealing the honest services of John Celona, the longtime state senator who earned $260,000 as a consultant to The Village at Elmhurst from 1998 to early 2004.

In their closing statements, lawyers for the prosecution and defense painted contrasting pictures of the voluminous evidence presented during three weeks of testimony. Both sides dwelled on whether the defendants intended to deceive the citizens of Rhode Island and steal Celona's honest services as a senator.

-- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton

RWMC closing arguments focus on intent
Posted 12:44 p.m.

PROVIDENCE -- Closing arguments are under way in federal court today in the Roger Williams Medical Center corruption trial.

Lawyers for the prosecution and former Roger Williams president Robert A. Urciuoli painted contrasting pictures for the jury this morning of the voluminous evidence presented during three weeks of testimony.

Both sides dwelled on whether the defendants – Urciuoli, former Roger Williams executive Frances P. Driscoll and former Village at Elmhurst partner Peter J. Sangermano Jr. – intended to deceive the citizens of Rhode Island and steal the honest services of a state senator, John A. Celona.

Asst. U.S. Atty. Luis Matos argued that the defendants deliberately concealed the true nature of Celona’s duties when they hired him as a consultant to the Village at Elmhurst, an assisted-living center, in 1997, saying that he would promote the Village among his wide network of senior citizens.

Even as they were in the process of obtaining an advisory opinion from the Rhode Island Ethics Commission regarding what Celona could and could not do in his job, Matos argued, they hid the fact that they were "tasking’’ the senator to use his political influence to kill legislation and to convince municipalities to increase their ambulance runs to Roger Williams.

"The defendants were willing and able purchasers of that office and they intended to deceive the citizens of Rhode Island,’’ charged Matos. "John Celona was hired to pursue their political interests and be their political errand boy.’’

Richard M. Egbert, Urciuoli’s lawyer, was quick to offer a differing interpretation of the documents, and to assail Celona’s credibility as a government witness who "lied and lied and lied to us continuously to save his rear end.’’

"The government’s case, like John Celona’s testimony, is built upon a failure of logic and a failure of common sense,’’ said Egbert.

While acknowledging that Celona is "a political opportunist’’ who has lied to the government, Matos also told jurors that his actions are supported by a mountain of evidence – a paper trail documenting his pursuits on behalf of the defendants.

"John Celona is a corrupt individual who has lied in the past,’’ said Matos. But, he added, there is a paper trail to support all of the key acts and charges.

Egbert said that the rmountain of documents the government relies on shows just the opposite – that the defendants kept a written record of their dealings with Celona because they had nothing to hide and no intent to commit a crime. They told their lawyers, they told the state Ethics Commission and they even broadcast Celona’s involvement on the senator’s cable-access television show.

In order to convict, Egbert told the jurors, "You need to embrace John Celona. You have to go home tonight and say, `I believe John Celona, beyond a reasonable doubt,’ and be able to sleep well. Good luck to you!’’

Pointing his finger at Matos, as Matos had pointed at the defendants during his closing, Egbert also accused the government of complicity in Celona’s lies and inconsistent statements.

"This is a case without intent,’’ said Egbert. "It’s a series of acts and conduct that doesn’t make any sense at all, unless that Bob Urciuoli and Fran Driscoll and Peter Sangermano never intended to violate any law.’’

Matos and Egbert each spoke for about an hour. Lawyers for Driscoll and Sangermano are set to argue after the lunch recess, followed by a brief rebuttal from Matos. Then, Chief U.S. District Judge Ernest C. Torres will instruct the jury on the law and, late this afternoon, deliberations should begin.

-- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:01 PM | Comment

FDA warns against drinking carrot juice

The Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to drink a specific brand of California carrot juice after a fourth case of botulism surfaced in Florida.

Consumers should avoid Bolthouse Farms Carrot Juice, both the 450 milliliter and 1 liter plastic bottles, with "best if used by" dates of Nov. 11, 2006 or earlier. The government is also urging people to keep carrot juice -- including pasteurized carrot juice -- refrigerated.

Investigators have determined that the four people who have contracted botulism did not properly refrigerate their juice, which allowed the dangerous bacteria to grow.

Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium commonly found in soil, according to the FDA warning. Under certain conditions, it can cause botulism, a disease that may cause paralysis or death, although the FDA says that cases of botulism from processed food are extremely rare in this country.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:30 PM | Comment

Sox begin overhaul with pitching, hitting coaches

BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox began their offseason overhaul today by deciding not to renew the contracts of pitching coach Dave Wallace and hitting coach Ron Jackson.

Manager Terry Francona said the team was not trying to blame the two, but merely to bring in a new "voice" that would be more effective.

"Please don't write that I think it's their fault," Francona said. "It's not a very fun decision to make."

Al Nipper, who filled in for Wallace while he had hip surgery, will be a candidate for the job full-time. The former Red Sox pitcher was also the pitching coach in Boston and Kansas City in the 1990s.

"I think we have an obligation to see who is available," general manager Theo Epstein said. "Nip is right on that list."

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:28 PM | Comment

Carcieri, Fogarty to discuss mental health issues tonight

CRANSTON -- With the election just five weeks away, the leading candidates for governor will face off tonight in a debate-like discussion about the state's mental health system.

While organizers characterize the 6:30 p.m. meeting as a "forum discussion, rather than a debate," two moderators will ask Governor Carcieri and Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty 10 prepared questions and a few written questions submitted by the audience. Each candidate will have three minutes to answer each question.

A Brown University poll released almost two weeks ago shows Carcieri with a 12-point lead over his Democratic challenger -- 50 percent to 38 percent.

Tonight's meeting is sponsored by the Save Our Mental Health Services Coalition and will take place at Gibbs College on Garfield Avenue in Cranston.

The candidates will take part in a televised debate this Friday, from Toll Gate High School in Warwick. Click here for more details and how to get tickets.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:55 PM | Comment

RWMC's interim head Belcher named new president

PROVIDENCE -- The Boston hospital executive who has worked to bring Roger Williams Medical Center out of the shadow of a federal indictment has been appointed its new president and chief executive officer, the hospital announced today.

Kenneth H. Belcher came to Roger Williams from the Boston Medical Center in December 2005 to serve as interim president, replacing Robert A. Urciuoli, who was put on a leave because he was the target of a federal investigation. A month later, the hospital, Urciuoli, and two other employees were indicted on federal corruption charges.

Belcher, 52, of Braintree, Mass., has led Roger Williams as the hospital negotiated a deal that lifted the federal indictment against the hospital (but not the three employees), fended off a union-organizing effort, won back patient loyalty after seeing volume drop precipitously last winter, and began restoring its financial health.

Hospital spokesman Brett Davey said that it’s “pure coincidence” that the announcement occurred on the same day as closing arguments in the trial of Urciuoli and two others on charges they paid a state senator to pursue the hospital’s interests in the General Assembly.

The board voted unanimously to name Belcher president last Thursday and told employees on Friday. A search committee of trustees, physicians and employees recommended Belcher, after considering several candidates identified by an executive search firm. Additionally, the board received a petition signed by about 300 employees urging Belcher’s appointment.

-- Journal staff writer Felice J. Freyer

“Ken Belcher has the experience, leadership and vision necessary to carry Roger Williams into the future,” Edward A. Hjerpe III, chairman of the board, said in a statement today. “He joined Roger Williams at a challenging time and has done tremendous amount of work to move the hospital in a positive direction.”

Dr. David R. Gifford, director of the state Department of Health, which has been keeping a close watch on the hospital since the indictment, welcomed Belcher’s appointment. “He has been very frank and forthcoming in every meeting I’ve had with him,” Gifford said. “He clearly has the best interests of the institution and the people they serve in mind.”

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:36 PM | Comment

Tickets available for gubernatorial debate

PROVIDENCE -- Limited seating to the Friday, Oct. 6 live, televised Rhode Island gubernatorial debate between incumbent Donald L. Carcieri and Democratic challenger Charles J. Fogarty became available today for the general public.

The Providence Journal and Fox Providence are cosponsoring the debate, which will air live from Warwick’s Toll Gate High School from 8 to 9 p.m.

Rhode Island voters can register to attend the debate by e-mailing their full names, address and daytime phone numbers to debate06@projo.com by noon Thursday, October 5th.

There is a limit of two names per request. Registrants will be notified on Thursday.

Posted by Jack Perry at 1:26 PM | Comment

Brown graduate shares Nobel Prize for medicine / Photo

AP Photo
Craig C. Mello, a professor from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Mass. speaks during a news conference at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester, Mass.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- A graduate of Brown University is sharing the Nobel Prize for medicine.

Craig C. Mello, 45, is a professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. He and Andrew Fire, 47, a Stanford University professor, discovered a way to turn off the effect of specific genes.

"RNA interference" is already being widely used in basic science and is being studied as a treatment for virus infections, heart diseases, cancer and several other conditions.

The two published their seminal work in 1998. Mello got his B.S. from Brown in biochemistry.

Mello says he was taken by surprise when learning about the award which he calls a "tremendous honor."

Mello and Fire will share a $1.4 million-dollar prize.

Full story ...

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:51 PM | Comment

A key Rhode Island interest rate skyrockets

Rhode Island now charges one of the highest rates in the nation on overdue taxes. Under provisions of a state law that took effect yesterday, the state now charges 18 percent on delinquent taxes. That's up from the old rate of 12 percent. It's also higher than what any other New England state charges.

The new Rhode Island rate is tied for the highest nationwide. In general, only South Dakota and Wisconsin charge 18 percent, and no state charges more, according to a recent survey by CCH Inc. of Riverwoods, Ill., a national publisher of tax information for accountants and other tax professionals.

Posted by Neil Downing at 12:19 PM | Comment

Harrah's could be sold

LAS VEGAS -- Harrah's Entertainment Inc., the company that's trying to build a West Warwick casino with the Narragansett Indians, said today it has has received a $15.05 billion offer for the company from private-equity firms Apollo Management and Texas Pacific Group.

A spokeswoman for a Harrah's-funded group pushing for the casino did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

The private-equity firms are offering $81 per share in cash, a 22 percent premium to Harrah's closing stock price on Friday on the New York Stock Exchange.

After the news, Harrah's shares surged $9.19, or 14 percent, to $75.62 in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Harrah's said it has established a special committee of independent directors to review the offer and has retained UBS Securities LLC as an adviser.

Read more about the casino debate in Rhode Island.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:35 AM | Comment

E. Greenwich police: Man fires shots at police, kills self

EAST GREENWICH -- A 25-year-old man fired several shots at police officers from a high-powered rifle before shooting and killing himself yesterday, according to local police, who are continuing to investigate the incident today.

Michael Boyajian, of 271 Tillinghast Road, fired at the police officers from the second floor of his home after the police were called there at 4:07 p.m. yesterday for a family disturbance, said East Greenwich Police Det. Lt. Tom Marcello.

Boyajian's father, Harold, was at the end of the driveway waiting when the officers arrived. He told the three or four officers that his son was armed with a high-powered rifle and handgun, according to Marcello.

As they talked, Boyajian came to the window and fired about four shots, Marcello said.
Nobody was hit, but one shot "actually struck the road between two of the officers," Marcello said.

The police officers, who were about 50 yards away from the house, took cover, but did not return fire, Marcello said.

"During the confusion," Boyajian's mother, Mary, who was still inside the house, then went upstairs and found her son, with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Marcello.

Boyajian was treated at the scene by rescue then taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Marcello. "It does look to be a suicide," he said.

A sister, Melissa, 23, had also been inside, but left the house as the shots were being fired, Marcello said.

Marcello said he believed the incident started over a problem Boyajian had had at work. He said the police had been called to the house before for "domestic-related" issues.

The police were in the process of securing the house, clearing neighbors from their homes and cordoning off the street when the shots were fired. The whole incident lasted about 15 minutes, Marcello said.

After three or four officers initially responded to the call, other East Greenwich officers and North Kingstown officers also responded.

The police have seized the rifle they believe Boyajian used to fire at them, two handguns, pellet guns and some ammunition from the home, according to Marcello. As part of their investigation, the police are trying to confirm which weapon was used and how many rounds were fired.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:30 AM | Comment

Gas prices down another 18 cents

Gas prices in Rhode Island have dropped another 18 cents over the past week and have now fallen 75 cents since the end of July, according to AAA Southern New England.

The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.36 at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey.

That's 50 cents less than it was a month ago. A year ago the average price was $2.86.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:15 AM | Comment

Today is Yom Kippur, the "Day of Atonement"

Yom Kippur, one of the most important holidays of the Jewish year, started before sunset yesterday and continues until after nightfall today.

Yom Kippur means "Day of Atonement," and it is a day for Jews to atone for the sins of the past year.

Working, eating and drinking are prohibited during the 25-hour period.

Most of the holiday is supposed to be spent in the synagogue, praying.

Italian ambassador visits Rhode Island

Italy’s ambassador to the United States will visit Rhode Island today for the state's first observance of Italian-American heritage month.

Giovanni Castellaneta will be on hand at noon as Governor Carcieri holds a ceremonial signing of the bill, passed by the General Assembly this year, designating October as Italian-American heritage month.

After the signing, Castellaneta will join about 90 people, described by a House spokesman as leaders in the Italian community, for a catered luncheon in the House lounge.

Nineteen percent of Rhode Islanders claim Italian roots, the highest percentage of any, according to the House news release. Italians are also the largest ethnic group in Rhode Island, according to U.S. census data.

Posted by Jack Perry at 8:08 AM | Comment

Closing arguments today in hospital corruption trial

PROVIDENCE -- Closing arguments are scheduled for this morning in the corruption trial of former Roger Williams Medical Center president Robert A. Urciuoli and two other health care executives.

Urciuoli, former hospital vice president Frances P. Driscoll and Peter J. Sangermano, a partner with the hospital in The Village at Elmhurst assisted-living center, are accused of stealing the honest services of former state Sen. John A. Celona.

Celona, who has pleaded guilty to selling his office, has served as the government's central witness during the trial in U.S. District Court, Providence.

Testimony concluded Thursday. Chief U.S. District Judge Ernest C. Torres gave jurors the day off Friday to let lawyers prepare for today's closing arguments.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:20 AM | Comment

Partly cloudy today with a high near 70

The National Weather Service forecasts a partly cloudy day with a high near 70 degrees.

Patchy fog should clear out by 9 a.m.

The stars should be visible tonight through mostly clear skies, and the temperature will drop to about 50 degrees, the weather service says.

For more weather and regular updates, see projo.com/weather.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment