Scandal Follows Newly Elected Officials in Rhode Island

Newly elected officials were sworn in this week both in Washington, DC and throughout the country. Bands played, flags waved, sworn oaths were uttered and everyone, including the news media, seemed ready for the breath of fresh air a new face or renewed commitment can bring to the political landscape. However, two prominent Rhode Island politicians had their shiny new terms of office marred by the criminal actions of relatives.

On January 4 in Providence, RI, the stepson of newly sworn-in Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis was arrested and charged on two counts of attempted murder. The stepson, Gian Piscione, 19, has been in trouble with police before, but not to this level of severity. Piscione is alleged to have taken part in a drive-by shooting in North Providence, RI. The vehicle fired upon was a 2001 gold Lexus. No one was seriously hurt. Police stated that jealousy involving Piscione's girlfriend likely motivated the shooting. Police recovered a shotgun, believed to have been used in the shooting, from a local pond on Friday. Piscione was freed on Thursday when his bail was posted by his stepfather - now Secretary of State - Mollis.

In an interview, Mollis stated he was shocked by his stepson's apparent role in the crime, but assured officials he would take whatever steps were necessary to be sure the stepson paid any societal debt owed. Additionally, Mollis stated that he did not know where Gian could have gotten the shotgun and did not own or keep a firearm of any kind in his home. Gian is one of four children living at home with Mollis and his wife.

On Friday, January 5, John M. Cicilline, brother to second-term Mayor of Providence, RI, David N. Cicilline was charged in federal court for being involved with a scheme to collect $150,000 from drug-dealer clients to manipulate the criminal-justice system. Attorney Cicilline and Attorney Joseph A. Belavacqua, Jr. were officially charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal authorities.

Bevilacqua, 57, is a disbarred attorney just 12 days away from completing an 18-month federal prison sentence. The sentence his is serving is for leaking a confidential FBI videotape to Rhode Island TV newsman Jim Taricani. Bevilacqua and was taken into custody about noon on Friday from his new work-release job in Rhode Island.

To his credit, Attorney Cicilline, 49, of Cranston, learned that there was a warrant for his arrest and promptly drove to Boston, MA to surrender. Late Friday afternoon, Cicilline stood in court and pleaded not guilty. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bond.

When asked if he was concerned about how his brother's plight would affect his own Mayorship, David Cicilline stated that his immediate concern was for his brother and his brother's family. Mayor Cicilline had worked hard in his first term to erase the memory of long-time corrupt former Mayor, Buddy Cianci.