FBI Files - The Patriarca Papers - Entry 2, Part 1

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Monday, August 10, 2015

GoLocalProv News Team

In this second segment of FBI documents, the range of documents expand to use of informants and interviews with associates of Raymond Patriarca - the head of Organized Crime in New England.

Each Monday GoLocal releases a segment of the near 8,000 page of FBI files along with the insights by leading experts on organized crime.

According to one prominent criminal defense attorney, this week's segments show the advantage the federal government had in the 1950's and early 1960's in trying to prosecute "hoodlums" like Patriarca and his associates.

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"Most any uncorroborated claim could used against a target. Much of the FBI's case in these early years were cut-paste information by unreliable informants," Artin Coloian tells GoLocal. Coloian has served as counsel to a number of members of La Cosa Nostra including the infamous mobster Bobby Deluca.

Coloian who served as Chief of Staff to former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci was indicted as part of Operation Plunderdome, the federal case against Cianci. Cianci was ultimately convicted and Coloian was exonerated and is now a leading defense attorney.

"The FBI files show one federal form that allows with the stroke of a pen the United States of America can declare someone a top hoodlum," said Coloian.

State of the La Cosa Nostra Today

"In my view the biggest change in that type of activity today is that society won’t accept racketeering activity like they did in the 50’s 60’s & 70’s. People aren’t afraid to call the police and business owners in large wouldn’t accept a shakedown," said former RI Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, Brendan Doherty.

"Legitimate businesses will not partake in a business relationship with mob connected businesses today for fear of a tarnished reputation or loss of licensure etc.. That’s not to say that it doesn’t exist, but the US Attorney’s Office, AG’s Office, FBI, RI State Police and Providence police have sent a succinct message to the NE Mob in the past few years," said Doherty.