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Lantigua is focus of federal, state probe Corruption allegations for Lawrence mayor

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Lantigua is focus of federal, state probeCorruption allegations for Lawrence mayor “I do want to stress that I remain committed to the job that I was elected to do,” Lantigua said in a statement April 4.By Sean P. Murphy and Maria SacchettiGlobe Staff / April 23, 2011 Federal and state authorities are investigating Mayor William Lantigua of Lawrence on possible corruption and other wrongdoing, intensifying controversy surrounding the leader of one of the state’s most financially troubled cities, according to law enforcement officials and one person who was interviewed by the FBI. The FBI, the Essex district attorney, and other agencies are looking into Lantigua’s dealings with companies that work for the city and into his ongoing public battle with the Lawrence Police Department, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officials are particularly interested in the mayor’s control over which companies get towing business with the city and who is permitted to operate taxicabs. One person who has been repeatedly interviewed by state and federal investigators said the agents were very interested in Lantigua’s financial connections, if any, to half a dozen bars and nightclubs, some of which opened since he took office in 2010. Lantigua’s wife has served on the Licensing Commission that controls which establishments can sell alcohol; police say that Lantigua regularly frequents downtown clubs such as Centro. FULL STORY HEREhttp://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/23/lawrence_mayor_is_focus_of_federal_state_probe/

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Location, location, location for police

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Location, location, location for police By Natalie Sherman  |   Saturday, April 23, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage New tracking technology is making police work more efficient, even as it creates gray areas in the legal code, experts say. “This is the wild, wild west,” said Tom Nolan, an associate professor of criminal justice at Boston University and a 27-year veteran of the Boston Police Department. “Legislative bodies and courts are years away from being able to establish any body of law to deal with this.” Nolan and other experts expressed concern amid a furor over research revealing that what Nolan refers to as “too-smart phones” — such as the Apple iPhone and the Motorola Droid — store user location data. Such data has long been a boon to cops, who routinely petition cell phone companies for access to customer information.   In Burlington, mapping technology allowed police to predict the next time and location in a string of home burglaries with almost 70 percent accuracy, said Glen A. Mills, president of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts. “In the past, we would have flooded the area for weeks at a time, and it would have cost massive amounts of money,” Mills, a lieutenant in the Burlington Police Department, said. “Now we can make predictions on the dates and time when crime is more likely to happen.” But civil liberties experts warned of a dark side. “Our phone carries so much data about us — where you go, what you do, who you know,” Massachusetts ACLU privacy rights coordinator Kady Crockman said. “The exposure of this really private information could lead to all sorts of privacy nightmares.” Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1332709

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Ex-gangbanger helps rid Dorchester of his shooter

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Ex-gangbanger helps rid Dorchester of his shooter VALIANT: Tramane Smith struggles to maintain his emotions inside Suffolk Superior Court yesterday prior to the sentencing of Donald Williams, inset. Photo by Patrick Whittemore By Peter Gelzinis  |   Saturday, April 23, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Columnists The good people of Dorchester will not have to worry about Donald Ray Williams haunting the Greenwood Street area for the next 35 or 40 years. Should he survive prison to return one day, the gang leader called “Mann” will be nudging 70. By then, maybe he will have outgrown the desire to shoot people in the back, the way he did to Tramane Smith. “I know there is no honor among thieves,” Smith wrote in his victim impact statement, “but what you did to me was beyond that. I loved you like a brother.” The 24-year-old Smith declined to read those words aloud yesterday. He opted to remain in the back of a Suffolk courtroom, confined to the wheelchair that Mann, once his best friend, put him in. Though Tramane was two years younger and a bit shorter than the skinny friend who ruled over the Greenwood Street Packers, he functioned as Mann’s true muscle. “(Tramane) was a tough kid who could handle himself,” one cop noted yesterday. “Williams couldn’t fight his way out of a paper bag. But he’d shoot you in a second.” “Everywhere I was,” Smith said, during two full days on the witness stand, “he (Mann) was.” On the night of Nov. 24, 2007, Tramane Smith told Mann he was leaving the gang. To prove it, he returned the .40-caliber pistol his friend had given him. For a couple of hours, Tramane thought he’d actually made it out, until the moment he heard a shot and couldn’t feel his legs. Mann fired two more bullets into his friend’s back, then moved in closer. Just before shooting him in the face, Mann sneered over the friend he thought was about to die, “(expletive, expletive) … that’s what you get.” All of 20 at the time, Tramane Smith managed to grab his cell phone and call his girlfriend to say he was dying. He then instructed her to get a message to his brother: “Tell my brother that Mann shot me.” It’s not every day that Suffolk DA Dan Conley and Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis sit side-by-side at a sentencing hearing. But then, it’s not every day a paralyzed ex-gangbanger helps rid the city of a one-man crime wave. Conley called it a “watershed moment,” one that could help change the landscape of intimidation that has held places like Greenwood Street hostage. Davis suggested that perhaps Tramane Smith’s resolve went beyond his paralysis. Before he was gunned down and left for dead, his cousin, Charles Bunch, was killed. Two weeks earlier, Bunch had stepped out of a car Smith was sitting in, walked a block to randomly gun down the first person he saw on rival turf — and wound up shooting innocent 13-year-old Steven Odom. Tramane Smith told this jury that he was disgusted with his cousin’s act, calling him a “kid killer” to his face. “I wouldn’t be surprised,” Davis sighed, “if that was one of the prime reasons this kid wanted out of the gang life. He’d had enough.” Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1332716

News, Politics

Lawrence mayor’s report of threat rejected No evidence of attack on Lantigua, police say

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Lawrence mayor’s report of threat rejectedNo evidence of attack on Lantigua, police say Mayor William Lantigua of Lawrence has clashed with the city’s Police Department almost since the day he took office.By Andrea Estes and Maria SacchettiGlobe Staff / April 21, 2011 Lawrence police say they have found no evidence to support the assertion by Mayor William Lantigua that he was nearly run down in front of City Hall last month by a mystery car with unregistered plates, the latest chapter in an increasingly bitter dispute between the controversial mayor and the city’s police. In a 12-page report made public yesterday, Lawrence Police Captain Denis Pierce concluded there is no evidence the car threatened Lantigua in any way. The report said that an eyewitness to the episode contradicted Lantigua’s insistence that he had been in danger. The report suggested that on the day of the alleged assault, Lantigua may have been under surveillance by men in a car with unregistered plates similar to those used by undercover law enforcement officials. No further explanation of that possibility was offered. “We are closing this investigation; no crime was committed,’’ Lawrence Police Chief John Romero said in an interview. FULL STORY HEREhttp://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/21/no_evidence_of_an_attack_on_lawrence_mayor_police_say/

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Boston Activists Condemn Pleasantville Police Benevolent Association “Officer of the Year” award

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Boston Activists Condemn Pleasantville Police Benevolent Association “Officer of the Year” award to Officer Aaron Hesscontroversial police shooter of Danroy “DJ” Henry CONTACT:Jamarhl CrawfordBlackstonian.com617-297-7721 APRIL 15, 2011 FOR IMEMDIATE RELEASE Boston, MA – Local activists are seething with rage following the reported decision to “honor” Officer Aaron Hess with the “Officer of the Year” award by the Pleasantville Police Benevolent Association.  The timing of this award is insensitive and offensive, particularly in light of the questionable circumstances in the Danroy “DJ” Henry, jr. case and the fact that the case has been turned over to the Department of Justice and is currently under investigation.  This move by the Pleasantville Police Union is indicative of the contempt that many Police Unions across the country display in regards to the African-American and Latino community.  In order to witness the vile and venomous sentiments espoused by Police Unions across the country, one only need look at the various law enforcement chatrooms across the country to hear the echoes of tea party patriot militias and neo-nazis.  Here in Boston, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association in their Union newspaper called a 16 yr old boy a “scumbag” after the infamous youtube video of him being beaten while arrested at Roxbury Community College.  In Cambridge, after the “Skip Gates” incident, Officer James Crowley was awarded by the Cambridge Police Department. While these cases did not share the same tragic results, the message is the same. It is a message of self-righteousness and entitlement. It shows a total lack of respect for the loss of life of people of color and exemplifies an “Above the Law” attitude.  What we find most offensive, it is taunting and cruel to the family.  We should all be concerned when public servants show this type of disdain for a significant portion of the public they are dutifully sworn to serve.  We join to publically condemn the decision of the Pleasantville Police Benevolent Association and  President Matthew Listwan to bestow Officer Aaron Hess with the “Officer of the Year” award.  We further condemn the bad judgment displayed by Officer Aaron Hess in accepting the award after this controversial case and during an ongoing US Justice Department investigation.  We also condemn the actions of Officer Hess on Oct. 17 which resulted in the tragic death of Danroy “DJ” Henry, jr.  It is our belief after reviewing all available facts that the statements of the witnesses are closer to the true sequence of events and we do not agree with the grand jury’s decision to dismiss Hess’ indictment on criminal charges in the case.  Police Unions are fierce defenders of the fallen in their ranks. They rally around deceased officers families and fundraise and brow beat anyone who doesn’t share their sense of loss and respect. If there were a case in which an officer was killed by a young black man, even if the officer had been shown to be a “dirty cop” and trying to unlawfully kill the young man, and subsequently the Black community held a celebration and awarded this young man, we could expect protest from every officer in the country. Police would view such a display as a public slap in the face and the ultimate gesture of disrespect. “The type of rhetoric spewed by many Police Unions, is indicative of a mentality that is then displayed on the job in many cases. This type of event and the attitudes, actions and comments of some officers is simply another means to administer Police Brutality… psychologically.”– Jamarhl Crawford, Blackstonian.com Regardless of the PPBA’s stated intentions to “not offend” and “not garner media attention” they knew exactly what they were doing. They knew the implications of such an award and they knew the potential to inflame and infuriate the public. They knew that the timing of this award was completely inappropriate and with all that knowledge they did it anyway with forethought and wickedly malicious intent.  ## 

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DJ Henry’s family files federal suit against N.Y. cop

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DJ Henry’s family files federal suit against N.Y. cop By Laura Crimaldi  |   Wednesday, April 20, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage The family of a Pace University football player from Easton who was fatally shot last fall by New York cops today is filing a wrongful death suit in federal court. Angella and Danroy Henry Sr. are meeting with reporters at noon to discuss the legal action against a cop who shot at Danroy “DJ” Henry Jr. and the village that employs him. “While we recognize both the broader efforts to distort the truth and conspire in secret to deny our family and those following, a complete picture of the events leading to our son’s death, we are choosing to sharpen our focus on those most responsible for his death,” the couple said in a statement released by their attorney. “We are not oblivious to the reality that several people participated in the inhumane treatment of our son, allowing him to die without regard for basic human dignities handcuffed alone on the ground.” The suit names Officer Aaron Hess and the Village of Pleasantville, N.Y., according to a copy of the complaint provided by Henry family lawyer Michael Sussman. The suit will be filed this afternoon in federal court in New York, Sussman said. The complaint does not disclose the amount of money the family is seeking in damages. Henry, 20, was fatally shot on Oct. 17, 2010, outside a bar after, according to police, he ignored instructions to stop his vehicle. Hess, who fired at Henry four times, was honored earlier this month as an “officer of the year” by the Pleasantville Police Benevolent Association. The honor outraged Henry’s family. “The PBA’s choice to celebrate our son’s death was a poor one and further energizes our fight for truth and answers to simple but relevant questions,” the couple’s statement said. Hess was cleared of criminal wrongdoing by a New York grand jury in February. The federal Department of Justice is also reviewing the shooting. Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1332114

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SJC: Odor of marijuana not enough to order suspect out of car

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SJC: Odor of marijuana not enough to order suspect out of car By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff The odor of burnt marijuana is no longer enough for police officers to order a person from their car, now that possession of less than an ounce of marijuana has been decriminalized in Massachusetts, the state’s highest court ruled today. “Without at least some other additional fact to bolster a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, the odor of burnt marijuana alone cannot reasonably provide suspicion of criminal activity to justify an exit order,” the court ruled in a decision written by Chief Justice Roderick Ireland. The court said the people’s intent in passing the ballot question decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana was “clear: possession of one ounce or less of marijuana should not be considered a serious infraction worthy of criminal sanction.” FULL STORY HEREhttp://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/04/sjc_odor_of_mar.html

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AG Coakley says wiretap laws need updating to fight 'disorganized crime'

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AG Coakley says wiretap laws need updating to fight ‘disorganized crime’ April 18, 2011 02:35 PMBy John R. Ellement, Globe Staff Attorney General Martha Coakley today called for updating wiretap laws so law enforcement can attack the “disorganized crime’’ behind street gangs, human trafficking and shoplifting rings – all of whom are untouchable under current state wiretap laws. Coakley spoke in reaction to comments by two Supreme Judicial Court justices, who declared that wiretap laws enacted in the late 1960s wrongly limit the reach of police and prosecutors.“The SJC couldn’t have been blunter,’’ Coakley said today in a telephone interview. “Things have changed. The whole face of crime has changed totally and technology has changed.’’ FULL STORY HEREhttp://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/04/ag_coakley_says.html

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Drug smuggling charge against Mass. jail officer

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Drug smuggling charge against Mass. jail officer By Associated Press  |   Monday, April 18, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage BOSTON – A Massachusetts corrections officer has been arrested on allegations that he attempted to smuggle heroin to sell to inmates at a medium-security prison near Boston. Ronald McGinn Jr. of Bridgewater was charged Monday with possession of heroin with intent to distribute at MCI-Norfolk. U.S. District Attorney Carmen Ortiz says the 40-year-old sent text messages and discussed with an undercover FBI agent the amounts he would smuggle into the prison and fees he would charge to do so. He was arrested Monday afternoon in possession of 28 grams of heroin. The investigation began after a Massachusetts Department of Corrections officer told the FBI that someone was smuggling contraband to the facility about 25 miles southwest of Boston. It was not immediately clear if McGinn has legal representation. He faces up to 20 years in prison on conviction. Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1331722

News, Politics

This photo of Mass. speakers speaks volumes

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This photo of Mass. speakers speaks volumes LINEUP: From left, former House speakers Salvatore F. DiMasi, Thomas M. Finneran and Charles F. Flaherty, and current House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo attend funeral services for former state Rep. Edward LeLacheur last summer in Lowell.Photo by Lowell SunBy Howie Carr  |   Friday, April 15, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Columnists This is one of those pictures that’s worth a thousand words — the four most recent speakers of the Massachusetts House, together, in what you might call . . . a lineup. From left, in the shades, Sal DiMasi, indicted, about to stand trial on federal charges of accepting $65,000 in bribes. Beside Sal is ex-Speaker Tom “Felon” Finneran, convicted of obstruction of justice. Next to Finneran, yet another convicted felon speaker, Good Time Charlie Flaherty. He went down on an income-tax evasion rap. And finally, the current speaker, Bobby “Slots” DeLeo, the guy whose godson was hired after a nationwide search as the youngest chief probation officer in state history at age 27. Speaker Slots is a high school classmate of Felon Finneran’s — what a coincidence. This photo was taken by a Lowell Sun photographer last summer at a former state rep’s funeral in Lowell. I offer it today in evidence for the defense in the upcoming trial of United States of America v. Salvatore DiMasi, et al. Sal’s defense team, which the taxpayers are picking up the tab for, wants to call a bunch of so-called expert witnesses to “explain” how things work on Beacon Hill between lobbyists and solons. The feds argue that given the evidence against Sal, this is a waste of time. I agree, especially since we have this photo — what more do you need to know about Beacon Hill? But I’d be happy to appear as a witness. I’d bring in a giant blow-up of the photo and a pointer, which I would use to ID each hack. If there are any blacks on the jury, I’d try to mention that two corrupt black politicians from Boston — Dianne Wilkerson and Chuck “Superfly” Turner — are currently serving hard time, while Flaherty and Finneran didn’t do a day. Of course Sal’s $125-an-hour attorneys would object, but I’d have planted the seed: The State House — crime and no punishment, unless you’re black. No justice, no peace. Some might argue that it’s unfair to include DeLeo in this rogue’s gallery, because he hasn’t even been indicted. But in January in the House chambers, DeLeo willingly posed for photos with all of these same sleazy, corrupt mentors of his. I asked for those photos — I figure they’re public record. But DeLeo stonewalled me. I’ll bet if I were some racetrack tout in a leisure suit talking out of the side of my mouth and smoking a cigar, he’d have given them to me — in frames. So now I have basically the same photo — better late than never. Speaking of which, Sal, it’s not too late to change your plea to guilty. You’ll make out just fine. You’re a corrupt white guy from Boston. Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1330858

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