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« A.G. drops case alleging sex assault 32 years ago | Today | R.I. lawmakers rebuff Bush's call back war strategy » July 12, 2007Update: HHS probing drug-ring suspects' welfare links
What's better than driving a 2004 Porsche Cayenne SUV? Driving a 2004 Porsche Cayenne SUV and not having any car payments. Joanna "Rosa" Gonzalez, a pregnant welfare recipient accused of heading a Providence drug ring, isn't straddled with big monthly payments on her $42,000 Porsche, according to the police. The SUV, which was seized by the police during a bust last week, is registered to Gonzalez, who has paid it off, according to Lt. Thomas Verdi, head of the Providence Police Department's narcotics unit. The police say that Gonzalez, a 28-year-old mother of two in Wanskuck, was employing dozens of people including her mother, her sister, their boyfriends, and their children in a crack-cocaine enterprise that covered the city from the North End to the West Side. She also owns a 2002 Kawasaki motorcycle and a Nissan Maxima, according to the police. The state Department of Human Services is investigating whether the accused were receiving state assistance, acting director Gary Alexander said today. The Providence police say that eight people – including alleged CEO Gonzalez, her mother, her aunt, her sister and her boyfriend, and Gonzalez’s boyfriend – were receiving some welfare benefits. During a news conference yesterday, Atty. Gen. Patrick Lynch referred to them when he talked about them “dealing poison, claiming welfare, and driving expensive vehicles.” All of the luxury vehicles, from the Porsche to a BMW and Mercedes-Benz, were owned by the alleged top operators, according to the police. -- Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits Posted by Jack Perry CommentsSkip Hagenbuch | July 12, 2007 7:23 PM link When is the Well Fare department going get off there seats and check on people that are on Well fare? They just keep paying out. I know people need help, but it's those like the ones police busted, that spoiles it for the one's that need the help Bob LaNinfa | July 12, 2007 8:58 PM link What's wrong with this picture? How many people aren't getting help that NEED it7 How hard is it to check with the DMV? Typical RI steve | July 12, 2007 9:56 PM link When's the car getting auctioned? And has the Rhode Island law agencies checked to see if the people involved are legal aliens? ..... Hell, I'll bid on the Mercedes too!! Paul | July 12, 2007 11:49 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
This is why it costs taxpayers money because of jerks like this group who abuse the system and it continues to happen. Isn't anyone paying attention and checking the people on welfare. Can't figure out why they don't have to work even if it's cleaning the streets because I'm sick of paying for them.