Brother of Providence's openly gay Democratic Mayor indicted

[Ian David]

Mayor's brother, 3 others, indicted in alleged scheme

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Two lawyers, including the brother of the mayor of Providence, were indicted in what authorities described as a complicated conspiracy to tell clients they would feed drug-running information to federal authorities as a way to get reduced prison sentences.

The lawyers allegedly said they would pass off information as if it came from the clients, and said the cooperation would prompt the court to give them reduced sentences under federal sentencing guidelines. In exchange, the clients paid them more than $100,000, according to a federal grand jury's indictment, which was unsealed Friday in U.S. District Court in Boston.

<snip>

Federal prosecutors allege that in November 2002, Bevilacqua met in jail with John Mendonca, who was arrested that August in Warwick, allegedly with marijuana and about $1.3 million in cash. His wife, Jacqueline, was also charged.

According to the indictment, Bevilacqua told Mendonca that if he was willing to pay several hundred thousand dollars, Bevilacqua could arrange for someone to tell federal authorities about drug shipments -- but that Mendonca and his wife would get credit for the information. Defendants who cooperate with federal prosecutors are eligible for reduced prison sentences.

More:
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO39125/


See also:

Leading Providence: David Cicilline becomes the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital - Politics
Advocate, The, Dec 24, 2002 by Mubarak Dahir

David Cicilline remembers being at the headquarters for his Providence, R.I., mayoral campaign this fall when a prospective volunteer and voter walked in. "I was thinking of supporting your campaign," the man--a senior citizen and devout Catholic--told Cicilline. "But first, I want to know what your gay agenda is."

"That's easy," Cicilline responded. "My gay agenda is for government reform, improving neighborhoods, and strengthening schools."

On November 5, 84% of the city's voters endorsed Cicilline's "gay agenda," making Providence the largest American city and first state capital with an openly gay mayor.

For Cicilline, the encounter with the volunteer that afternoon "was a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate that gay people have the same dreams and desires as other citizens," he says. "That's why I always ran as a candidate who happens to be gay rather than a gay candidate. During my campaign the gay issue was irrelevant."

Though a few supporters of his Republican opponent made what Cicilline calls "vague hints" at his sexual orientation "by trumpeting the `family values' phrase," his competitors left the issue alone.

More:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2002_Dec_24/ai_95916251

[deadmessengers]

1. He's not Governor

...just the mayor of Providence.

[Ian David]

2. Thanks. I corrected it.

I'm starting to get sleepy.