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« Forum on Providence waterfront to begin Monday | Today | New Family Court judge sworn in / Photo » June 6, 2008Update: Mayor Cicilline's brother admits to shake-downLawyers John M. Cicilline, the brother of Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, and Joseph A. Bevilacqua Jr. pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston this morning along with former legal assistant Lisa Torres to charges involving a $150,000 scheme to shake down drug dealers to manipulate the criminal-justice system. The change of plea hearing began at 10:30 a.m. today before U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston. 
Journal file photoJohn M. Cicilline The plea comes just before Cicilline, Bevilacqua, Torres and another ex-legal assistant, Juan A. Giraldo, were to go on trial Monday. Giraldo has been serving a federal prison term in Ohio on other drug charges. Cicilline, one of Providence's most prominent criminal-defense lawyers, faces 18 months in prison and the loss of his law license as a result of his agreement to plead guilty to charges that he shook down drug-dealer clients for $150,000 to manipulate the criminal-justice system. As his family watched, including Mayor Cicilline, John Cicilline agreed to change his plea before Judge Gorton. Cicilline also agreed to pay $15,000 in restitution and a $4,000 fine. Co-defendant and former law partner Bevilacqua, son of the late chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, agreed to serve 21 months. And Torres, their former legal assistant, agreed to 18 months. Sentencing is set for Sept. 11. The fourth co-defendant, Giraldo, also is expected to plead. The four were indicted early last year on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal authorities. Cicilline pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, one count of obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements to federal authorities. Bevilacqua pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and Torres pleaded guilty to three counts –– one each of conspiracy, obstruction and making false statements. Mayor Cicilline issued a statement today, saying: “Right now my focus is on family. This is a very difficult time for my family, especially my three nieces and my parents, and I need to be there for them.” -- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton The indictment charged that the lawyers conspired with legal assistants Giraldo and Torres to provide the authorities with information about other drug dealers, which would then be used to bargain for more lenient sentences for their clients. In return, the indictment said, a husband and wife whom Cicilline and Bevilacqua defended in a federal drug and money-laundering case in Boston, John and Jacqueline Mendonca, allegedly paid them $115,000 between late 2002 and early 2004. The indictment says that the remaining $35,000 sought was never paid. The couple secretly tape recorded conversations about the alleged scheme while in jail at the Plymouth (Mass.) County House of Correction. At the time of the indictment, Bevilacqua was less than two weeks from completing an 18-month federal prison sentence for leaking a confidential FBI videotape to a Rhode Island television reporter. That conviction led to Bevilacqua’s disbarment from practicing law. Cicilline appeared in U.S. District Court on Jan. 5, 2007, to formally face the charges. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bond and his travel was limited to Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. In February, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston moved to revoke or amend the terms of Cicilline’s release saying he violated the terms of his bail in the summer of 2007 when he traveled to New Hampshire to defend an accused drug dealer. Posted by Andrea Panciera CommentsDenise | June 6, 2008 1:02 PM link They should have locked John up many, many years ago and threw away any keys! He has been a CROOK and a LIAR from the get-go. What a disgrace RI has become from allowing their dirty higher people to be able to do what they want, to whom they want and when they want....what a shame. I'm sure there are so many others that John has ripped off....and still be able to sleep nights...why NOT you can get away with anything in RI, if you know and grease the palms of the (so called) right people. Sunlight | June 6, 2008 1:57 PM link So much for goin' legit. I have to believe this stuff has been going on for a long, long time, so my question is: why now, and why this guy? Rhode Island: the Sordid State | June 6, 2008 2:34 PM link He took $150,000 and only has to pay $15,000 in restitution? I guess crime does pay!! Only in RI, hope he can room with Celona....put them all away! I am glad I go to work every day and they want to take away my pension, benifits....while these clowns run rampid. discusted in ri | June 6, 2008 2:35 PM link You tell me this town aint got no heart, well, well, well, you can never tell. --Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead (Check out this 1981 gig in Germany, man!) Shakedown Street...with love from the Dead | June 6, 2008 5:01 PM link Good grief! Where is the site administrator who should be reviewing these comments?"Vicious comments"and "personal attacks" are being published - despite the Journal's stated intent not to do so.Furthermore,aspersions are being cast against people who are not even party to this indictment.People,please,if you don't have something insightful to add to the story,please refain from using this blog to mindlessly vent. PS to the poster signed :Shakedown Street...with love from the Dead,yeah,I understand the quote ,but why would anyone reading this blog want to "check out this 1981 gig in Germany,man!" You know what,never mind, just 'beam me up Scotti,there's no intelligent life here.' Cathie | June 6, 2008 7:15 PM link I see that the site administrator woke up and removed the worst of the 2 comments I was referring to above.Still,you can't 'unring the bell' so a little more vigilance ,in the future ,might be appropriate. Cathie | July 1, 2008 10:21 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
I'm not surprised and I am sure no one else is. Unfortunately in RI, corruption in Government, Politicians and their family and associates is common place.