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January 3, 2008

Police probing harassment of Chief Esserman, family

PROVIDENCE -- City police acknowledged today they are investigating harassment of Police Chief Dean M. Esserman and his family and related “bilking” of area businesses.

Deputy Police Chief Paul J. Kennedy acknowledged the investigation but would say nothing about the nature of the harassment, the identity of the businesses or how the businesses may have been taken advantage of.

“We are conducting a criminal investigation into the harassment of the colonel and the colonel’s family, as well as the bilking of several businesses in the area” by an individual, Kennedy said. The alleged harassment began a week ago, he said.

Esserman and his wife, the former Gilda Hernandez, who is a former detective in the New York City Transit Police, reside on the East Side with their two young children. They also have an older son who attends law school.

“When we’re done (with the probe), then we’ll have more to say,” Kennedy said. Until then, he said, the police must “tread carefully” because the allegations are “serious.”

Asked why the police are being so reticent, Kennedy replied, “I’m concerned about putting together a criminal case that will stick. … This investigation is far from being completed.”

-- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 6:34 PM | Permalink

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