A North Providence attorney and a businessman indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy, attempted extortion and delivering a bribe entered not guilty pleas Wednesday in U.S. District Court. It is alleged that attorney Robert S. Ciresi, 77, of Hope, and businessman Edward Imondi, 73, of North Providence, acted as middlemen and received a portion of bribes they delivered to three North Providence town councilmen.
Former councilmen Joseph S. Burchfield, Raymond L. Douglas III, and John A. Zambarano, also named in the superseding indictment, pleaded not guilty Monday to conspiracy, extortion, and bribery charges. The indictment alleges the defendants extorted bribes from several businesses appearing before the town council. Zambarano also pleaded not guilty to making a false statement to the FBI.
In order for the government to indict an individual, a one-sided story is presented to the grand jury. Legally, the government does not have to provide any evidence of wrongdoing. The individual(s) that are facing an indictment usually have no indication, and further, are not allowed to present any evidence to a grand jury to rebut the government’s contentions.
Typically, when the FBI brings charges against an individual for making false statements, they attempt to manipulate the individual into discussing a matter or information that the FBI has already obtained in its’ investigation. Then, when the individual makes a statement contrary to what the FBI has already obtained, it can pursue charges of making a false statement. Usually, the individual does not know they are under investigation, and that any information they discuss with FBI agents is fair game to be used against them. It is important to remember that no matter what information the FBI may be seeking, legal representation is necessary to avoid falling into this trap.
The not guilty pleas, which were entered before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David L. Martin, were announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha. The defendants remain free on $50,000 unsecured bond.
Potential maximum sentences include five years in federal prison, three years’ supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy; 10 years in federal prison, three years’ supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for bribery; and 20 years in federal prison, five years’ supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for extortion.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, Interpol Litigation, International Extradition and OFAC Litigation.
The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
