Crime, Corruption and the failure of the Boston Herald

When other sources reported on the sentencing of Edward "Buckles" Melise, they included his Gambling Addiction. Yet, the Boston Herald, ever the Casino Cheerleader for Beacon Hill, carefully omitted that inclusion. Curious!

46 months for former Providence highway supt. Melise
Mike McKinney
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Edward "Buckles" Melise, a former Providence highway superintendent convicted during the 1980s of extorting money from snowplow operators, was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison Monday for the possession and sale of hundreds of prescription oxycodone pills.

In imposing the sentence, Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi said in U.S. District Court, Providence, that "we're talking thousands of dollars" made off the sale of a "highly addictive poison."

The government had asked for a 52-month prison sentence while Melise's lawyer, John F. Cicilline, suggested 18 months. Judge Lisi said her sentencing decision -- a 46-month prison term -- took into account Melise's year spent on monitored home confinement in the case.

After he leaves prison, Melise will be on three years of supervised release, and receive counseling for gambling addiction.

The prosecution asked that a significant prison term be imposed, in part to serve as a warning to people who sell drugs and to protect the public. OxyContin was being sold at $37 to $38 per pill, the prosecution said.

While the defendant talked about dealing with a gambling addiction, the prosecution said he nevertheless sold OxyContin to feed others' addictions.

Cicilline told the judge that Melise has taken taken positive steps to make things right and to change his life. Melise has been in Gamblers Anonymous to deal with a gambling addiction Cicilline also noted many letters filed with the court on Melise's behalf. And he said that Melise came to terms with what happened and made a decision not to contest the government's case.

Melise pleaded guilty in June to four charges of possessing and selling hundreds of prescription oxycodone pills, under an agreement with prosecutors.

Cicilline questioned the reasonableness of the government's 52-month prison recommendation and said it was "disproportionate."


From the Boston Herald - note: no comment about a Gambling Addiction --
Ex-RI official gets 46 months on drug charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A former Providence highway superintendent who once served prison time for extortion has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison on federal drug charges.

Edward "Buckles" Melise of Johnston was also sentenced on Monday to three years of probation and ordered to undergo gambling addiction counseling.

The 60-year-old Melise pleaded guilty in June to charges of conspiracy to distribute hundreds of prescription painkiller oxycodone pills

His lawyer said in court that Melise has taken responsibility for his actions.

Melise, who served in the administration of former Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci in the 1980s, served four years in prison after pleading guilty to extorting more than $64,000 from three contractors hired by the city to plow snow.


Even here --
BREAKING NEWS Buckles Melise Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison

During that time, U.S District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi ordered Melise to seek counseling for a gambling addiction.


Some backgroud:

A heap of trouble