Cogitator Sept 19, 2012

Posted by George Cooper 
on Sep 19, 2012
 

Gerard Ratigan and Robert Creamer, from the RI State Police Financial Crimes Unit

 

VISITING ROTARIANS/GUESTS

None.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

The club serenaded Andy Erickson while wishing him a very happy birthday this week (September 23rd).  Happy birthday wishes to Corey Guglietti on the 23rd as well.        

Happy wedding anniversary this week to Bill (and Lisa) Mueller (September 21st). 

PHONEBOOK

Richard Waterman made a pitch for any last minute phonebook ads.  We’re down to the wire, and the book is nearly ready for print, but you still have a few remaining days to let Richard know about any final additions.

PROVIDENCE BRUINS/ROTARY NIGHT

President Ken Colaluca announced that District 7950 will be out in force at the Dunk on Friday, November 2nd.  The P-Bruins will take on the Worcester Sharks.  It should be a great game and a good night out on the town as the District and our club support Polio Eradication efforts ($5 will be allocated from each ticket sale).  So, make sure to mark November 2nd in your calendars. 

HAPPY BUCKS

-Vin Meola is breathing easier now that Dave Iannuccilli made it back to Wednesday lunch.  He’s OK, the Yanks are back in first place, and Dave ate heartily from the Rotary lunch buffet.  Phew.  Welcome back, Dave.  (Vin will now be on the lookout for Bob Miller next week...)  

-Alan Flynn said ‘it’s nice to be wrong,’ with a knowing nod to Andy Erickson and Ken Colaluca. 

-Staci Cormier passed on a ‘happy fall’ to all.

-John Wolcott had a great time at the Dunk with son Matt, and Matt’s two sons, taking in a ‘Disney on Ice’ show. 

-Ken Colaluca was happy to report that Pat Lenihan is recovering from her recent bout of pneumonia.  He, and we, will be glad to see her (hopefully) next week.  Get well, Pat!

PROGRAM/SPEAKER

RI Financial Crimes Unit
-Gerard Ratigan, Investigator and Fraud Manager, with Corporal Robert Creamer

Gerard Ratigan, an East Greenwich native, graduated from Providence College and Roger Williams University School of Law.  He is today an investigator with the RI State Police Financial Crimes Unit (FCU). 

Corporal Robert Creamer is a detective with the FCU, as well as a trained hostage negotiator. 

The Financial Crimes Unit was formed in 1993 under Governor Bruce Sundun and Superintendant of the RI State Police, Colonel Edmond Culhane.  Their charge was to bring to justice those involved in, among other things, embezzlement, extortion, bribery, identity theft, racketeering, bank fraud, mortgage/loan fraud, and public corruption. 

A complaint can come from private citizens, businesses, government officials, and/or law enforcement.  All complaints must be supported, and none may be anonymous.

Their process included meticulously establishing facts, gathering evidence, gathering testimony, and presenting their cases.  Evidence is sometimes procured voluntary, while other times it is gained via warrants.  Investigative techniques include surveillance and wiretaps.  Ratigan noted that there is always some kind of paper trail involving financial crimes. 

Grand juries are not preferred by the FCU, since they involve a slower process with the Attorney General’s office. 

The US Attorney’s office and the FBI team up with the Financial Crimes Unit on occasion.

Here are several recent cases:

-Elizabeth Carter Baldwin swindled some 60 investors out of $9 million, all while living a lavish lifestyle in Newport.  She is now serving ten years at the ACI. 

-Charles Pruenca told people he was a Red Sox scout and real estate investor while stealing $1.4 million from family and friends. 

-Ben Wyzansky was a real estate attorney who had the bad habit of mingling clients’ funds while neglecting to forward mortgage payoffs to lenders after closings.

-Khaled Gabr was caught in a $1 million fraud scheme. 

-Geoffrey Regan was a Newport real estate attorney who neglected to pay lenders after mortgage refinance closings.  His sentenced included one year at the ACI and $500,000 in restitution.

-Peter Chabot made some $16 million in phony purchase mortgage scams. 

-Sister(!) Elizabeth Duffy embezzled loads of money from a child care center.

-Stanley Bruzzi stole $150,000 from a small business.  Suspicion arose when he was discovered enjoying Patriots games in comfortable 50-yard line seats at Gillette, while his boss was in end-zone seats. 

-And, a blast from the past, former Governor Ed DiPrete and Joe Mollicone, disgraced banker from Heritage Loan and Investment Company, were both prosecuted by the Financial Crimes Unit.   

Gerard Ratigan, Robert Creamer, and Jane Boynton