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By Michael Stanton Domenic Lombardi, 74, a prominent long-time mob associate and West Warwick property owner, is one of four more people to be arrested in Operation Mobbed Up. Lombardi is accused of selling Vicodin out of a West Warwick shopping plaza that he owns. In the same plaza, authorities say, Lombardi also leases space to a drug-rehab clinic for people trying to beat their addiction to, among other drugs, Vicodin. Lombardi was arrested last night in Florida, where he was vacationing, by Osceola County sheriffs. "He's had an illustrious career with law enforcement,'' said Lt. Col. Steven G. O'Donnell. "It spans decades, and numerous crimes including arson and drugs. He's been a thorn in the side of law enforcement for years.'' Lombardi is currently on a suspended sentence for a previous drug conviction, which means he faces prison as a violator once he is returned to Rhode Island from Florida. A hearing is scheduled for tomorrow to determine if Lombardi will waive extradition to Rhode Island, according to O'Donnell. The state police also arrested two others later yesterday -- Stephen Wahl, 46, of 40 Hope St., Tiverton, on racketeering and drug charges, and Devon McDonald, 24, of 183 Ocean St., Providence, for larceny. This morning, the state police arrested Curtis Ruiz, 44, of 33 Derby St., Cranston, and charged him with racketeering, conspiracy and delivery of narcotics. O'Donnell said that authorities are looking for one more suspect. Then they will pursue additional charges against those already arrested, which could, in turn, lead to more arrests. View photos of the original group of arrestees, and a 2007 special report on the State of the Mob in Rhode Island.
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this has got to be the lamest sting of all time ...a bunch of senior citizen gangsters selling fake hanbags and vicadin. Pathetic. So weak that this is what you put on the front page.
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