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November 2, 2007

Former Rep. Martineau expected to plead today

Former Rhode Island House majority leader Gerard M. Martineau is expected to enter a guilty plea in U.S. District Court today in connection with the federal State House corruption probe known as Operation Dollar Bill.

According to court documents, the longtime Woonsocket Democrat has admitted to selling 10 million bags to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, but manufacturing fewer than 2 million.

Martineau also admitted using his power to influence legislation that influenced CVS and Blue Cross.

According to a plea agreement entered early last month, Martineau agreed to plead to two felony counts of mail fraud – more specifically, using the mail to deprive Rhode Island citizens of their right to his honest services as a public official.

In return, prosecutors will recommend the court impose the lowest sentence for the charges.

Each count carries a maximum five years in prison and a fine of twice the gain or loss, in this case, nearly $2 million.

He’s scheduled to appear in front of Chief Judge Mary Lisi at 2 p.m.

-- with Journal archive reports

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 9:52 AM | Permalink

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