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October 27, 2006

Cranston contractor arrested for scamming homeowners

Robert Vaughn, a Cranston contractor who has allegedly scammed 20 homeowners of up to $200,000, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud.

He is being held on $22,000 cash bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch today said that the Connecticut State Police arrested Vaughn yesteday at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville.

"By allegedly taking money for work that he either did not complete or did not perform at all, Mr. Vaughn has harmed homeowners all over the state of Rhode Island," said Lynch.

"Unfortunately, we expect more criminal complaints to emerge from his arrest. My office will prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law."

Vaughn, of Reservoir Ave., was arraigned today before Kent County District Court Judge William C. Clifton on 12 counts of obtaining money under false pretenses. He was also arraigned on various other charges.

Detective Michael Casey of the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit led the investigation into Vaughn's work.

Posted by Peter Phipps at 6:46 PM | Comment

Car falls off jack; a 46-year-old is seriously injured

PROVIDENCE – Two men were injured this evening while changing a car tire near500 Valley St.

They were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, one of them with “serious head injuries.”

James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department, said a
46-year-old man was unconscious with head and face injuries after the jack the men were using gave out.

The other man involved in the accident, which occurred about 5:30 p.m., was not as badly injured, he said.

-- projo.com staff writers Kate Bramson and Steve Peoples

Posted by Kate Bramson at 6:09 PM | Comment

Wet forecast results in Saturday sports postponements

Tomorrow's menacing forecast has already resulted in a number of postponements, including the RIIL cross-country class meets, which will now take place Sunday at noon.
Several of Saturday's football games have also been rescheduled.
Click below for tomorrow's rescheduled football games, so far.

The makeup dates, when known, are listed in parentheses.
Football
Central Falls vs. Hope (today, 4 p.m.)
East Providence vs. St. Raphael
Narragansett vs. Central (Monday, 6 p.m.)
Tiverton vs. Mount Pleasant (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Tonight's game between Classical and Scituate was rescheduled to 4:15 this afternoon.

For updates tomorrow, go to the Interscholastic League Web site.

Posted by Mike McDermott at 5:41 PM | Comment

Carcieri, Fogarty duel over spending, jobs, ads

PROVIDENCE -- At their second-to-last debate, Rhode Island's candidates for governor fought this afternoon over spending, jobs and negative ads.

Republican Governor Carcieri faces Democratic challenger and Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, in next month's election. Taped today, their one-hour debate on Channel 6 (WLNE) TV will air Sunday at 7 a.m. and at 1 p.m.

Fogarty criticized Carcieri for agreeing to increase the number of slot machines in the state. He also said state spending and the unemployment rate have remained chronically high.

Carcieri said he agreed to increase the number of slot machines at Lincoln Park only because the facility had to be sold. The former owner had been indicted, and Carcieri said the state risked losing revenue.

The Republican incumbent also said he has forced decreases in state spending.

The debate was sponsored by Channel 6 and AARP.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:55 PM | Comment

Coast Guard will be on alert this weekend

BOSTON - The Coast Guard urges mariners to closely monitor weather information and take early action to keep safe this weekend.

Thursday and Friday Coast Guard jets flew three off-shore flights warning mariners at sea of the approaching storm.

The Coast Guard anticipates winds ranging from 20-60 knots some small boat stations have called in their heavy-weather boat operators and cutters have been put on the alert to respond to problems off of the Maine coast.

Posted by Peter Phipps at 4:49 PM | Comment

Immigration officials bust fake marriage scam in R.I.

PROVIDENCE -- A New Bedford man was ordered held today after being charged with arranging "fraudulent marriages" in Rhode Island for undocumented immigrants seeking permanent resident cards.

Federal immigration officials arrested Carlos Alberto Da Veiga earlier this week following a five-month investigation, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Employees from various Rhode Island towns had notified Immigration and Customs Enforcement about marriage license applicants "who behaved suspiciously." Some couples couldn't speak the same language, and others were accompanied by a third person.

Federal agents began monitoring Da Veiga and learned that he facilitated at least 15 such fraudulent marriages between American citizens and undocumented immigrants between May 2005 and this month, according to the U.S. Atttorney's Office.

Prosecutors say that Da Veiga charged between $3,000 and $9,000 to
arrange a marriage and paid a U.S. citizen $1,500 to participate. The immigrant also had to pay the U.S. citizen $200 per month while the immigration application was pending.

The U.S. Attorney's Office believes that Da Veiga brought couples to Rhode Island to get married because there is no waiting period or blood test requirement.

Cumberland and East Providence Police assisted ICE in the investigation.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:30 PM | Comment

Lynch sexual assault case headed to jury

PROVIDENCE --The case of a former East Providence City Councilman accused of sexually assaulting a boy who worked in his flower shop is expected to go to the jury today after the judge instructs jurors on the law.

Judge Edward C. Clifton is expected to tell jurors that they can find 62-year-old Gerald R. Lynch guilty of sexual assault only if they determine that force or coercion was used in the sexual encounters, which the prosecution says took place between 1982 and 1985 at Blease Florists and Greenhouses on Newport Avenue in Pawtucket.

Lynch owned the store at the time and employed the alleged victim, a boy from his council district in East Providence who was in his early teens.

In closing statements this morning, lawyers for the defense and prosecution painted starkly different scenarios of the sexual encounters that took place between the alleged victim and Lynch.

Special Assistant Attorney General Maureen Keough reminded jurors of testimony that Lynch grabbed and held the victim forcefully whenever he performed oral sex.

Defense lawyer Lise J. Gescheidt said that Lynch himself insisted the sex was consensual and that any sexual acivity that took place was after the alleged victim was over 16.

The alleged victim, now a 37-year-old man, testified for three days, providing most of the incriminating evidence in the case.

Keough and Gescheidt disagreed vehemently his credibility as a witness.

``I suggest to you that (the alleged victim) is not a reliable witness,’’ Gescheidt said. ``He has been smoking marijuana regularly and frequently for half his entire life.’’

Keough urged jurors to focus on the witness’ demeanor, pointing out that he had described what had happened to him in a way that was dispassionate and matter-of-fact.

``There was nothing about his testimony that was rehearsed. He was honest. He was candid. He was forthcoming,’’ Keough said.

``He talked about things that he had kept from his entire family for 20 years.’’

-- John Castellucci, Journal Staff Writer

Posted by Peter Phipps at 1:43 PM | Comment

Update: Former U.S. Attorney Curran endorses Chafee

PROVIDENCE -- Former U.S. Attorney Margaret Curran, whose office prosecuted former Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr., today endorsed incumbent Lincoln Chafee for the U.S. Senate.

With the election less than two weeks away, Chafee, a Republican trailing in the polls, has stepped up his criticism of his Democratic opponent, Sheldon Whitehouse, charging that Whitehouse failed to address public corruption during his terms as U.S. attorney and state attorney general.

But at a press conference this afternoon at the Federal Reserve restaurant, Curran refused to criticize Whitehouse's performance. "I am supporting Senator Chafee. I'm not campaigning against Sheldon Whitehouse," she said in the face of repeated questions from reporters.

Chafee, too, refused to comment on his criticisms of Whitehouse. He did, however, repeat that it was Curran who secured the Operation Plunder Dome corruption convictions, which included Cianci's.

Chafee said today's event was simply about the decision of Curran -- appointed by former Democratic President Bill Clinton and who said she generally registers as an unaffiliated voter -- to endorse him.

"I think we are all losers if we lose Senator Chafee," said Curran, who acknowledged she voted as a Republican in the September primary in which Chafee beat Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey to run again for his seat.

Meanwhile, on the Whitehouse side, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to visit Rhode Island today to stump for her fellow Democrat. The former first lady will be at the 1025 Club in Johnston tonight.

--- Steve Peoples, projo.com staff writer

Posted by Peter Phipps at 1:25 PM | Comment

Cordiality rules at today's Chafee-Whitehouse debate / Photo

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Sheldon Whitehouse, left, and U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee talk with members of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce this morning before their debate.

LINCOLN -- In contrast to the vicious campaign barbs they’ve traded in recent days, Republican U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee and Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse sat down this morning for what was a surprisingly cordial debate, sponsored by the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.

Held at the Kirkbrae Country Club, the 30-minute forum centered on core campaign issues such as health care and education, with questions submitted by the Chamber’s members.

There was no mention of former Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr., or the FBI’s former Operation Plunder Dome probe into corruption at Providence City Hall-- topics which have heated up the high-profile Senate race this week.

Following the debate, Whitehouse said he was content to get back to the central issues. “I think that Senator Chafee was right back in his first race when he said negative campaigning is a disservice to voters, so I think that to be involved in talking about the issues that people care about is the right place to be,” Whitehouse said.

But Chafee said he sees the recent disputes differently. “I don’t consider looking at someone’s record as negative, I consider that as legitimate campaigning activity,” the senator said. “If the facts are there such as I am pointing out on Plunder Dome and Roger Williams Hospital than that’s what I think the voters want to hear. I’m not doing my job as a candidate if I’m not looking at critical shortcomings in my opponent’s record.”

-- Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:08 PM | Comment

Garbage truck knocks out power in East Greenwich

A garbage truck backed into an electric power pole on Water Street in East Greenwich just after 10 a.m., knocking out power for a number of homes near the waterfront.

The East Greenwich Police say service has been restored and there were no injuries, fire, or other damage as a result of the accident.

-- Journal staff writer Daniel Barbarisi

Posted by Peter Phipps at 12:04 PM | Comment

Closed-door hearing set on Station fire jury testimony

PROVIDENCE -- Superior Court Presiding Justice Joseph F. Rodgers Jr. has scheduled a closed-door hearing for 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 13 on the state attorney general's petition to release grand jury testimony in The Station nightclub fire case.

Before then, the Attorney General's Office is required to send notices to the people who were indicted in the case, people who were targeted for prosecution but not indicted, the Rhode Island Bar Association, the Rhode Island Criminal Defense Association and lawyers involved in civil litigation.

Anyone who wants to file a memo on the petition must file it with the judge by 4 p.m. Dec. 1.

A Roger Williams University law professor who is defending the secrecy of grand juries has until Dec. 11 to respond to anything filed.

Rodgers held an open hearing this morning on Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch's petition for the release. The request came after the trial for three defendants was averted by their decisions to enter pleas.

-- Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:58 AM | Comment

Young Pawtucket woman killed in one-car crash

PAWTUCKET -- A 22-year-old woman was killed in a one-car crash early this morning on George Bennett Highway, the Pawtucket police said.

Haley Raworth, whose last known address was 242 Walcott St., Pawtucket, was alone in the car, according to Maj. John J. Whiting.

A driver heading to work came across the accident near Campbell Street at about 1:17 a.m. and contacted the police, according to Whiting.

The cause of the accident hasn't been determined. The police are awating a report from the department's accident reconstruction team and the state Medical Examiner's Office.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:51 AM | Comment

RIC announces largest gift to R.I. public college

Rhode Island College says it has received the largest single gift ever donated to a Rhode Island public college.

Helen Ginsberg Forman, a special education teacher who graduated in 1934 from what was then Rhode Island College of Education, now Rhode Island College, has left $5.1 million to the college, the college has announced.

Forman died August 14, 2005 at the age of 93.

An official announcement of the gift will be made on November 4 in a tribute to Forman in RIC’s Nazarian Center.

Forman wanted the money be used to endow scholarships for students of music, theatre and dance, and special education. She also designated a portion of her bequest to support an endowment for the James P. Adams Library and the President’s Music Series. A theatre in the Nazarian Center was named in her honor in 2000.

RIC describes Forman was "a middle-class woman with no inherited wealth." She and her husband, Sylvan, a railway and postal worker, lived modestly and invested wisely in the stock market, according to RIC.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:22 AM | Comment

Daylight Saving a good time to tend smoke detectors

Public safety officials say the end of Daylight Saving Time this weekend is also a good time to change batteries in home smoke detectors.

James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department, says more than 6,000 deaths occur annually in house fires, and most deaths are preventable.

Smoke detectors, available in stores for about $10, are among the most effective ways for homeowners to protect themselves and their families, according to Taylor.

He says there should be at least one smoke detector on each floor.

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, so homeowners should turn back their clocks an hour.

Taylor reminds homeowners to also change their smoke detector batteries.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:04 AM | Comment

Photo: An effort to increase Latino job opportunities

Journal photo / Kathy Borchers

Ramon Borges-Mendez, an assistant professor at UMass, Boston, speaks this morning at the Center for Hispanic Policy and Advocacy's first-ever Latino Workforce Development Conference at the Providence Westin Hotel. Rhode Island political candidates also spoke during this morning's breakfast session, which is being followed by seminars aimed at helping Latinos increase job opportunities.

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:57 AM | Comment

Traffic: A cool ride for this commuter; check yours now

It's not often this writer leaves the house with the stars on one side of the sky, and a pinkish glow in the other.

But she did it today, and the early ride into Providence from South County was both smooth and pretty. Despite the fact the car thermometer read 32 degrees.

Heading out now yourself? Check out the state roadways, via the Department of Transportation's online traffic offerings.

You can find any traffic alerts describing accidents here. Or browse traffic cams to see real-time photos of the highways. Check out congestion mapping -- i.e., how heavy the traffic is -- here.

Need updates in the car? Call the DOT's phone line, at 511 in state and out of state, 1-888-401-4511.

To report a traffic incident, call the Transportation Management Center at: (401) 222-5826 and choose option #2.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 8:00 AM | Comment

Hearing today on releasing Station grand jury testimony

PROVIDENCE -- Superior Court Presiding Justice Joseph F. Rodgers Jr. is scheduled to begin a hearing at 11 a.m. on whether to release secret grand jury testimony in The Station nightclub fire case.

Judge Rodgers is not expected to rule on a petition by Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch to release the information, but will outline how he plans to proceed.

The hearing will be at 11 a.m. in courtroom 12 on the fifth floor of the Licht Judicial Complex, 250 Benefit St., Providence.

A statewide grand jury was impaneled within days of the February 2003 fire at the West Warwick nightclub that killed 100 people.

The grand jury conducted a 10-month investigation before indicting Daniel Biechele, the band manager who set off the pyrotechnics that ignited the blaze, and club co-owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian on involuntary manslaughter charges.

All three pleaded to charges, averting any disclosure of the testimony during a trial.

The attorney general filed a four-page petition and a 61-page supporting memorandum Wednesday seeking the release of the grand jury testimony.

The hearing is open to the public.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:50 AM | Comment

Chafee, Whitehouse back at it in another debate

LINCOLN -- Republican U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee and Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse will square off again this morning in a debate sponsored by the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.

Part of the chamber's Eggs and Issues breakfasts, the debate between the Senate candidates will begin at 8 a.m. in the main ballroom at the Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln.

Debate questions will be based on issues important to the Rhode Island business community, Rhode Island residents and the nation as a whole, according to the chamber.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:23 AM | Comment

Watch out for flying witches, windy weekend on the way

After today's mostly sunny weather with a high near 54 degrees, southern New Englanders will want to secure their outdoor Halloween decorations this weekend as a powerful storm moves into the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for tomorrow morning through tomorrow afternoon as sustained winds could reach 30 to 40 mph by noon and gusts could hit 60 mph.

Strong wind and heavy rain, including potential thunderstorms, could knock down power lines Saturday, the weather service says.

Another round of strong winds could affect the region Sunday. The weather service is monitoring conditions and could issue another high wind watch for Sunday.

For more weather and regular updates, see projo.com/weather.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment