Ex-House leader Martineau to serve 37 months in prison
11:39 AM Fri, Feb 22, 2008 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE -- Former House Majority Leader Gerard M. Martineau this morning was sentenced to 37 months in prison on corruption charges. Judge Mary M. Lisi also ordered him to pay a $100,000 fine and serve two years of supervised probation following his release. He will have to report to a prison to be determined by 2 p.m. March 14. Martineau, a longtime state representative from Woonsocket, pleaded guilty in November to corruption charges for steering legislation that benefited the CVS drugstore chain and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, with which he had plastic and paper bag contracts worth more than $800,000. Martineau was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Providence. He faced a maximum of 46 months and a fine of $1.8 million on each count. The prosecution had asked Lisi to sentence Martineau to 37 months. Martineau's lawyer asked for a split sentence that would have allowed him to spend part of the sentence on home confinement. Also revealed at this morning's hearing: Martineau is cooperating with the federal investigation into corruption at the State House, Operation Dollar Bill. He has met with the FBI six times. John R. Kramer, former CVS senior vice president for corporate affairs and government relations, and Carlos Ortiz, former vice president of government affairs, are charged with one count each of conspiracy and bribery and 21 counts each of fraud for contracting with Celona. Celona, who resigned from the General Assembly in 2004 amid questions about his business dealings with CVS, pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud charges in 2005 for his relationships with CVS, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Roger Williams Medical Center. -- With reports from Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski 
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Another domino falls (deservedly), more to come.
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Nice slap on the wrist. I wonder what's in store for Blue Cross, CVS and the others. Maybe a parade and the key to the City?
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What happens to the money Mr. Martineau already pocketed. Almost a million dollars and he has to spend a mere 37 months in jail. I would say that is a good tradeoff. I bet it is spent federal country club, not the ACI either. I hope no one in the state is surprised that they are in such a financial mess. When the legislators have their hands in the cookie jar, what else would you expect.
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As a newcomer to Rhode Island (two years here) I am happy to see these corrupt state and local officials caught, tried, convicted and sentenced.
I sincerely hope that other elected and appointed public servants will do their jobs honestly. Congratulations to the AG and the Feds.
Bob
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A crook and now a rat. Asking for leniency, this “devoted family man” should have been spending time making this state better for his beloved family, not stuffing his pockets with almost a million dollars. Funny how getting caught brings on remorse. Sadly, this is only a small piece of the state's pathetic public servant sector. The only ones they serve are themselves.
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Mr. Martineau got off easy. I work for the state and hate to see his type, as he sold his office to the highest bidder. We need to make the penalties much hard for his type of crime. He got 800K and only a fine of 100K. Some poor "minority" robs a Seven Eleven for $200 bucks and he gets 10 years or more. Just does not seem right. Maybe life in prison with out parole is what corript officals should get. That would send a clear message that you do not steal from the people.
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Mr. Martineau didn't seem feel any shame riding around in his 7 series BMW and buying a house on the water in Narragansett during his "hey day". People wondered "why can't I figure out a way to make that kind of cash just selling plastic bags?" I'm glad that his tears didn't affect the judges decision but 37 months and $100,000 cash is lighter than he deserves.
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If operation Dollar Bill is for real, the when is Tom Ryan going to be indicted? Do you really think his underlings made any decisions to make payouts to guys like Irons and Martineau without his approval? AG Lynch if you want to be governor it's time for you to stand up and be counted. As a URI alumni I'm disgusted that our arena is namrd after such a corrupt business man. For Martineau: Hey Gerry was the house in Anawan Cliffs worth it or did you buy it for your wife after she found out about SA? Remember my eyes?
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I remember seeing both Celona and Martineau and out and about when they were in the Senate.
They seemed very cocky and confident....real stand up men....hanging at the Capitol Grill,Capricio's and other famous watering holes..being sure everyone knows who they are.
Suddenly,they get arrested and the little boy in them comes rushing out...they can't wait to cooperate and save themselves, and ruin the reputation and lives of others.They become honest AFTER they are caught. I guess there really is no honor amongst thieves.
Are there no more stand up dirty politicians left in RI. What is this state coming to?
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This is just another slap on the wrist. The fine should be larger. He was living the high life while the citizens he stole from scrape by.
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We're getting the underlings, but when will we see Tom Ryan indicted? Last time I looked, it takes two to bribe. Also, any laws that were passed and are tainted by this scandel should be set aside and re-introduced, hopefully without the payoffs from CVS and Blue Cross.
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THE BIGEST DANGER TO ANY COUNTRY IS NOT OUTSIDE ENEMIES BUT HOME GROWN CORRUPTION, AND WE HAVE IT IN SPADES AT BOTH THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. WE KEEP SENDING THE SAME SLEAZEBALLS BACK; YEAH HE'S A CROOK BUT HE IS OUR CROOK, SO WE KEEP THEM IN OFFICE WE GET WHAT WE DESERVE.
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