Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

BOSTON -- Joseph A. Bevilacqua Jr. was sentenced this afternoon to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty with former law colleague John M. Cicilline to preying on their clients by shaking down a drug-dealing couple and manipulating the criminal-justice system.

Cicilline was sentenced earlier today to 18 months for the crime, ordered to pay a fine and restitution, and immediately disbarred.

Bevilacqua had already been disbarred following his sentence in 2005 for leaking to a television newsman an FBI videotape that was evidence in the Operation Plunder Dome case probing corruption at Providence City Hall and then lying about it under oath.

Today, he apologized in federal court in Boston to his family and said he could not explain why he did what he did, but that he thought alcohol was the reason. He said he had not drank since November 2004. He also said he had vigorously defended clients.

Bevilacqua, son of the late Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Joseph A. Bevilacqua, and Cicilline, the brother of Providence Mayor David Cicilline, must report for prison by 2 p.m. on Oct. 21.

In contrast to Cicilline's sentencing, where the courtroom was filled, about three or four people were on hand for Bevilacqua's sentencing.

Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton repeated the same message he gave earlier today to Cicilline -- that Bevilacqua's actions were "reprehensible and inexcusable."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski

 Tags  Boston John M. Cicilline Joseph A. Bevilacqua Jr. Joseph A. Bevilacqua Jr. sentenced

Comments

Dave from Ashaway said:

And who says there is culture of corruption in Rhode Island?

Link | September 20, 2008 6:10 AM
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CC said:

career criminal joe bev...21 months not nearly enough.

Link | September 21, 2008 2:57 PM
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