Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

At 2nd Story Theatre in Warren, there's a performance of "Another Part of the Forest" at 8 tonight.

A blurb about it on projothebeat.com, the Journal's online calendar of things to do, describes it as an "evocative 'prequel' to 'The Little Foxes" by Lillian Hellman" in which "the Hubbard heirs play a high-stakes game of roulette, putting the family fortune on the table."

All seats ar $25.

For ticket information, call 247-4200.

BOSTON -- The man who calls himself Clark Rockefeller thought it was so outrageous to be held on $50-million cash bail, he asked the court to reconsider.

It backfired.

A judge, citing his "ingenious capacity" for deception, today ordered the German native held without bail on charges he kidnapped his 7-year-old daughter, sparking a search from Long Island marinas to Caribbean islands.

Authorities say Rockefeller is really Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, who has been living under multiple identities -- including a physicist, a ship captain, and a Wall Street trader - since coming to the United States in 1978. He's also a "person of interest" in the 1985 disappearance of a California couple.

"Before me is somebody who by his life appears to have demonstrated a capacity -- a very ingenious capacity -- to transform himself and to maneuver his way around this country and the world through deception and the exercise of obviously powerful intelligence," said Judge D. Lloyd Macdonald.

Gerhartsreiter had asked for a reduction in the $50-million bail set by a magistrate earlier this week. His lawyer, Stephen Hrones, said authorities could keep track of him by confining him to his home and requiring him to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.

But Macdonald said he could not think of any bail conditions that would ensure Gerhartsreiter would show up for his trial.

Gerhartsreiter, 47, has pleaded not guilty to parental kidnapping, assault and other charges for allegedly snatching his daughter, Reigh Boss, off a Boston street on July 27.

Gerhartsreiter was on a supervised visit with the girl, the first since he and the girl's mother, Sandra Boss, divorced in December. Authorities say he pushed a social worker who was overseeing the visit and jumped into a waiting car. The social worker received minor injuries when he tried to grab onto the car and fell to the ground.

After a massive manhunt, Gerhartsreiter was arrested Aug. 2 in Baltimore, where authorities said he had bought a home and planned to live indefinitely with his daughter.

California authorities have called Gerhartsreiter a "person of interest" in the 1985 disappearance of a San Marino, Calif., couple, Jonathan and Linda Sohus.

During the bail-review hearing, Hrones conceded that Gerhartsreiter "liked to tell tall tales" and used various names over the years, but said that should not affect a decision on his bail.

Hrones downplayed the kidnapping charge, saying he took his daughter after his ex-wife took their daughter to live in London.

"Naturally, he was very upset, so he did take his child," Hrones said.

But Assistant District Attorney David Deakin said Gerhartsreiter had been planning the kidnapping for months. Deakin said that in March, Gerhartsreiter told real estate agents in Baltimore he was a ship captain named Charles "Chip" Smith who was looking to buy a house for him and his daughter, "Muffy."

Deakin told the judge Gerhartsreiter had obtained false birth certificates and used so many different names over the years that it took authorities weeks to figure out his true identity.

Hrones said he will likely appeal the bail ruling to the state Supreme Judicial Court

"He should be given reasonable bail," he said. "The high-profile nature of this case prevents him from being treated as he should."

-- The Associated Press

NEWPORT -- A five-month undercover investigation of drug trafficking involving federal agents and local police netted 18 arrests today in the city's North End, with warrants still outstanding for 8 additional suspects.

Two of the defendants, Wayne M. Perry, 37, aka "Fats," of 21 Park Holm, Newport, and Travis T. Sims, 26, aka "Ace," of Apt. A, 17 Newport Ave., Newport, were arraigned today in U.S. District Court in Providence.

Travis pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with two counts of distributing 5 grams or more of crack cocaine and an additional count of delivering crack cocaine, according to a spokesman for U. S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente.

Perry, who has been indicted on two counts of delivering crack cocaine, also pleaded not guilty, said spokesman Tom Connell.

The names and charges of the other defendants, most of whom face charges in the Rhode Island court system, were not immediately available..

Police Sgt. Anthony J. Chauvin, head of the Newport police vice and narcotics unit, said today's raid capped an undercover investigation involving police, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Beginning at 8 a.m., a total of 20 to 25 law-enforcement officers hit four locations in the North End, Chauvin said.

The sweep stopped at Perry's and Sims' homes, as well as 14 Hall Ave. and 42 Park Holm.

Chauvin said late today afternoon that most of those arrested earlier in the day had not yet been arraigned.

-- Journal staff writer Gina Macris

PROVIDENCE -- After three days of deliberations, the jury in the corruption trial of two former Roger Williams Medical Center executives has adjourned again today without reaching a verdict.

The jury in federal court in Providence is weighing the case against Robert Urciuoli, the medical center's former president and chief executive officer, and Frances Driscoll, the ex-vice president of external affairs, who are charged with conspiring to steal the honest services of former North Providence state Sen. John Celona.

Urciuoli is charged with one count of conspiracy and 35 counts of honest-services mail fraud. Driscoll is charged with one count of aiding and abetting the alleged conspiracy.

Celona is serving a 2½-year federal prison term on corruption charges for his dealings as a lawmaker with Roger Williams, CVS, and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.

The government says Urciuoli and Driscoll corruptly hired Celona so he could influence health-care legislation beneficial to the financially strapped hospital. Urciuoli, through his lawyers, has countered that hiring Celona was aboveboard and that an Ethics Commission ruling permitted him to work as a consultant for the hospital.

The jury is scheduled to resume deliberations tomorrow morning at 9.

Read more about the trial and the investigation.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski

The Senate just approved a massive bailout plan that calls for spending up to $700 billion to buy bad assets from failing financial institutions. And today, the bill faces the House.

But what happens if it passes? If it fails?

Join Brown University professors Peter Howitt, Ross Levine and David Weil tomorrow afternoon at an economic roundtable.

During the discussion, presented by the Economics Department and the Departmental Undergraduate Group, the three will give their views on the current economic situation.

Audience members are also invited to ask questions; the event is open to the public.

The roundtable is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at Salomon Hall, on the University Green, 101.

Catch up on local and national business news on projo.com's business page.

By Tracy Breton
Journal Staff Writer

A court-appointed master has proposed a plan for distributing $176 million in settlement money to those who lost loved ones or suffered injuries in The Station nightclub fire.

The plan of distribution devised by Duke University Law Prof. Francis E. McGovern would give everyone who sued a share of the money, including those who suffered mental trauma but never sought medical treatment for their injuries.

Under the plan, the survivors who were most badly burned and were hospitalized the longest will receive more money than several of the families who lost loved ones in the fire.

Although McGovern's plan has not yet been submitted for court approval, victims of the fire have been meeting with their lawyers in recent days to review it. None of the victims has been given precise figures on what he or she might actually receive once attorneys' fees and expenses are subtracted. Some have been told that they can expect to receive several hundred thousand dollars, while others may receive less than $20,000. Some are expected to receive more than $1 million.

The Providence Journal has obtained a copy of the proposed plan that is being circulated among the more than 300 plaintiffs in the 11 federal lawsuits brought in connection with The Station fire. The fire was the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. One hundred people died in the blaze on Feb. 20, 2003; more than 200 others suffered injuries.

>> Continue reading: Station fire victims reviewing plan for cash settlements

Journal photo/ Kathy Borchers
Rob "the Drummer" Gottfried, a nationally acclaimed children's motivational educator who uses the drums to deliver an anti-bullying message performs at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

PROVIDENCE -- Rob "the Drummer" doesn't want kids to beat each other up -- he wants them to beat drums.

Robert Gottfried is a motivational educator for children. He uses drums and animation to spread an anti-bullying message.

A few hundred kids from around Rhode Island got into his message today at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

They clapped, and cheered and made some strange noises to beats provided by Rob and his various drums and beat machines.

"If you want to lash out, if you want to hit something, hit this drum," he said.

"Because it lets you express yourself, but in a good way ... it loves to be played hard."

Video: Drumming an anti-bully message

Check out his Web site.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

PROVIDENCE -- A 152-count federal indictment charges a fugitive physician who had Providence and North Providence practices with health care fraud, illegal distribution of controlled substances, and money laundering.

Tarek W. Wehbe is believed to be in Lebanon. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of about $5.9 million, proceeds that Wehbe derived from his alleged crimes, according to a news release today from U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente's office.

Wehbe's license was suspended earlier this year by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Wehbe operated Renaissance Medical Group, which had offices at 1640 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence, and 790 North Main St., Providence, according to the indictment. The practice specialized in internal medicine and family practice, serving more than 8,000 patients from 2002 to 2006. Wehbe himself treated more than 4,800 patients.

But the indictment charges Wehbe with 21 counts of health care fraud, 108 counts of distributing oxycodone and hydrocodone while "acting outside the usual course of professional medical practice," nine counts of money laundering, two counts of laundering money to a foreign country, and 12 mail fraud counts.

Civil complaints filed earlier this year seek Wehbe's assets, including a 401k account worth $209,000, and Renaissance Medical Group real estate on North Main Street, Providence, for which forfeiture orders have been issued. Other forfeiture complaints are pending against other Wehbe assets -- bank accounts and a waterfront home in Jamestown.

The indictment accuses Wehbe of routinely submitting false claims to insurance carriers for drug infusion therapies, outpatient office visits, and other patient care, alleging that he inflated the level and type of care he had provided. He allegedly submitted claims for "extended office visits," when he had visited with a patient only for a few minutes -- just long enough to write a prescription, often for controlled substances.

Wehbe is also accused of "routinely and intentionally" submitting claims that, if correctly accounted for, would have resulted in work days lasting more than 24 hours.

>> Continue reading: 152-count federal indictment for fugitive physician

PROVIDENCE -- Recounts will be tomorrow for the still-contested Democratic primaries for Senate District 9 -- between longtime incumbent Stephen Alves and Michael J. Pinga -- and Senate District 31, between Erin Lynch and David A. Bennett, according to the state Board of Elections.

All ballots, including mail and provisional, will be counted following an amended order today by the state Supreme Court. Officials will also try to determine voter intent for any ballots rejected by voting machines.

Counting ballots in the Lynch-Bennett race will start at 9 a.m. Lynch was the apparent winner of that race.

Ballots in the Alves-Pinga race will be counted starting at 1 p.m. Alves, the powerful chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has asked the court to order a new primary election. Pinga was the apparent the winner of the primary.

Read an earlier story on the contested races.

-- with reports from Journal staff writer Talia Buford

By Amanda Milkovits
Journal staff writer

A helicopter from the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and the state environmental police have been scanning the area today off Narragansett's Black Point, in hopes of finding the body of a Providence man who tried to save his wife when she was swept into the water late Sunday afternoon.

Michael Oliveira has been missing since witnesses last saw him in the water trying to reach his wife, Tammie, who'd been knocked off the rocks by a wave. The body of 43-year-old Tammie Oliveira was found at around 6:30 p.m., about 15 minutes after a 911 caller reported seeing the couple in the water.

They'd just married in July. Relatives said that Tammie was an avid photographer, and they believed the couple had gone down to the shore to take pictures of the waves.

The Coast Guard had called off the search Monday night, but the state Department of Environmental Management promised to continue with routine shoreline searches. The Rhode Island National Guard may play an indirect role. The Guard is conducting air training missions this weekend in and around that area, and spokesman Lt. Col. Denis Riel said the air crews will be advised about the missing man.

Friends and relatives of the Oliveiras have been staying overnight at the scene, using lights powered by a generator to scan the water at night in search of Michael Oliveira's body. They held a candlelight vigil last night, said Rhonda Anderson, a friend of the family. "It's a group that won't give up. It'll never give up until we find him," she said today.

NEWPORT -- Local police and federal agents this morning broke up a large-scale drug operation uncovered during a five-month investigation, with 17 arrests made in the north end of town.

Arrest warrants had been obtained for 26 suspects allegedly involved in the illegal sale of crack cocaine and prescription medications.

The sweep, by the police department's vice squad and agents of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, was continuing at midday, according to Police Lt. Richard Gallipeau.

Eight of the suspects will face federal charges because of their lengthy arrest records and the amount of illegal narcotics involved, according to a statement from Police Sgt. Anthony J. Chauvin.

So far, arrests have occurred at 42 Park Holm, 21 Park Holm, 14 Hall Ave., and at 17 Newport Ave, apartment A, according to the statement.

Additional information was not immediately available, Gallipeau said.

-- Journal staff writer Gina Macris

WEST GREENWICH -- A two-car collision injured two people late this morning.

The accident was on Route 3, near the Coventry-West Greenwich Elks Lodge #25.

An 83-year-old woman and a man whose age was not released were both taken to Rhode Island Hospital, according to police.

No other information was available at this time.

-- Journal staff writer Lisa Vernon-Sparks

Beginning Oct. 14, the Division of Motor Vehicles' Woonsocket branch will be closed on Mondays, the Warren branch will be closed on Wednesdays and the West Warwick branch will be closed on Fridays.

A news release today from Gary Sasse, the Department of Revenue director, said the changes will allow DMV "to better staff the Pawtucket branch while maintaining existing services at all other branches." It said the changes "will not reduce the services available at any of the DMV branches."

The new schedules at DMV branches will be:

Pawtucket, 100 Main St.:
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 3:15 pm

Middletown, 73 Valley Road:
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Wakefield, Stedman Government Center, Tower Hill Road:
Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Warren, 1 Joyce St.:
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Warwick Express, Rhode Island Mall:
Tuesday-Friday, noon to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, noon to 4:30 p.m.

West Warwick, 1237 Main St.
Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Westerly, Ocean Plaza, 62 Franklin St.:
Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Woonsocket
217 Pond Street (Dept. of Labor and Training Building)
Tuesday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For what services are provided at various branches, go to www.dmv.ri.gov.

Providence will host public hearings today on proposed cuts to Rhode Island Public Transit Authority service.

The hearings will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the DaVinci Community Center, central room, 470 Charles St.

(An earlier version of this report had the incorrect time for the second hearing.)

By John E. Mulligan
Journal Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- While the financial rescue bill that passed the Senate last night faces uncertain prospects as the House returns to work on it today, members of Rhode Island's congressional delegation point to signs that opposition to the package may be softening back home.

Nevertheless, Rhode Island's congressmen and senators -- all of whom have supported the federal rescue effort -- reported yesterday that public anger and worry over the need to stabilize the financial markets remain at high levels.

"I've had more calls and contacts on this than on any other single issue -- immigration, energy prices, or as far as I can remember, even the war,'' Rep. James R. Langevin said in an interview yesterday. But Langevin said the word from his constituents in the Second Congressional District suggests a modest shift in favor of a major federal rescue effort since Monday, when the House shocked the stock market by defeating the first economic stabilization bill.

Speaking in rough estimates about hundreds of calls, e-mails and other contacts, Langevin said that for the week or so preceding Monday's dramatic House vote, a commanding majority of the constituents who checked in were either flatly opposed to any such rescue plan, or else "very scared, very nervous, wondering why this was necessary and what was going on." He said "maybe 20 percent were saying 'yes' " and even that fraction tended to express demands for such provisions as a ban on "golden parachutes" for officers of firms that might need rescuing.

>> Continue reading: Langevin favors bailout, says RI voters beginning to, too

Journal file photo/ Ruben W. Perez
A gondola passes through Water Place Park in downtown Providence during the first WaterFire of the season last month.

PROVIDENCE -- The full WaterFire lighting in Providence that was postponed because of rain last Saturday has been rescheduled for this Saturday.

It's scheduled to start shortly after the sun sets at 6:22 p.m. and continue until 12:30 a.m.

The evening will begin with a ceremony, "1,000 Ships," honoring the bicentennial of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade; Rhode Island was a major port in the trade. Actors will wander through the crowd telling stories of bondage and freedom.

Saturday is also being celebrated as World Wide Day of Play, with events beginning at 5 p.m. in a tent at the corner of Steeple and Canal streets. There will be children's activities and demonstrations, including by a Hula-Hoop artist and a Frisbee freestyle champion.

PROVIDENCE -- The jury in the corruption trial of Robert A. Urciuoli and Frances P. Driscoll, two former Roger Williams Medical Center executives, will resume deliberations this morning at 9 a.m.

The jurors completed its second straight day of reviewing the case yesterday without reaching a verdict.

Read about yesterday's trial developments.

Read more about the trial and the investigation.

-- Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski

BOSTON (AP) -- The lawyer for Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, the man who calls himself Clark Rockefeller, is scheduled to appear in court to argue for lower bail for his client.

Attorney Stephen Hrones is expected to appear in Suffolk Superior Court today to ask for a reduction in Gerhartsreiter's $50 million bail.

Gerhartsreiter was ordered held earlier this week after pleading not guilty to a variety of charges connected with the alleged kidnapping of his 7-year-old daughter off a Boston street during a supervised visit in July.

Authorities say Gerhartsreiter is a German man who has been living under fake identities since coming to the United States in 1978. He also has been identified as a "person of interest" in the 1985 disappearance of a California couple.

His trial is scheduled for March 23.

-- The Associated Press

On this day in 1967, Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming the first black to serve on the high court.

Read more about today in history.

An accident that closed the shoulder on Route 95 South near Atwells Avenue has been cleared.

The accident was at Atwells Avenue/Exit 21.

See how the accident -- and the weather -- is affecting traffic on the Transportation Management Center's Web site.

It's a little silly, but it's a good, poppy song, I think. I don't know that I could follow the instructions, though... It sounds complicated. Especially this early in the morning.

Shirley Ellis does "The Clapping Song"

More rain this morning, but things are looking up. Skies should begin to clear around 9 a.m. and the sun may actually make an appearance later in the day. We'll have west winds between 7 and 17 mph. and a high temperature near 67 degrees.

Skies should stay clear tonight, when the temperature drops to about 45 degrees.

Tomorrow looks nice, with sunny skies an temperatures again hitting about 67 degrees and winds from the west.

Will we have a dry weekend? Cross your fingers and check.
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Today's front page reports the latest on the government's financial rescue plan. It also includes stories on a rate hike by National Grid and the NBA champion Boston Celtics training in Newport.

Download a copy of today's front page in .pdf format.