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March 9, 2010

Connecting the Dots: The PPD Drug Ring

Marc Comtois

It's been a few days since the main players were divulged, so--based on information gathered in various stories--here is an attempt to show the links between the known players in the Providence PD drug ring and others. These links aren't to be inferred as an accusation against those not charged, but they are interesting in that they show how the saying in Rhode Island that "everyone knows everyone" is indeed the case.

ppd-drug-sting-links.JPG

Comments

Great work, Marc, really puts the incestuous nature of 'RhoDylin' in perspective.

You have to wonder how many of the PPD rank and file that on the street today, those with questionable qualifications or backgrounds, were 'helped' into the police academy, or hired because Dad was an old friend of Buddy, or Uncle Joe made a big donation to Buddy's reelection campaign.

You can go further and ask how many were later promoted because Buddy called his good friend Chief Barney and told him to give someone that was really good at selling tickets to fundraisers, 'a little extra help' with the written exam.

Posted by: Chris at March 9, 2010 12:57 PM

Excellent effort Marc. Especially valuable is the Khalid Mason link. Why the state police never investigated the Providence Police's claimed amnesia and lost-then-found surveillance documents in that case is beyond me. Perhaps some light will now be refocused on Mason's shakedown allegations against Mayor Cicilline's brother. All should re-read the federal district court opinion in the US v. Mason case.

Posted by: Bill at March 9, 2010 2:20 PM

Great work, Marc. Only problem is, you dared link Buddy to Dave. You don't want an on-air conniption fit on your conscience LOL.

Posted by: rhody at March 9, 2010 3:03 PM

Merely being related to someone doesn't men squat.I had two first cousins who were serious criminls.One straightened out.The other didn't-he went on to a career of armed robbery,drug dealing,auto theft,and some worse stuff.
Each had a brother.The other two were productive,law abiding citizens.
I had no siblings,so I had to stay out of trouble.:)
The point is,we're ALL responsible for our own acts.

Posted by: joe bernstein at March 9, 2010 10:31 PM

FWIW Jimmy Hassett last drove for Cianci
TWENTY SIX years ago.
How about analyzing Esserman's behavior and leadership style and thinking-"well,maybe the people on the street are responding to the tone that's been set".Hmmm??

Posted by: joe bernstein at March 9, 2010 10:43 PM

Joe, I agree...we can't pick our relatives and knowing somebody doesn't mean you share all of their proclivities or even know about them. Like I said, I just thought it interesting to see the relationships graphically presented. Much has been made of the Cicilline/Gonsalves link and I found the Hassett/Cianci one interesting. Again, doesn't mean anything unless there's proof, etc.

Posted by: Marc at March 10, 2010 8:29 AM