Boston – A 16-year veteran officer of the Lawrence Police Department was indicted today in connection with attempting to use his position as a police officer to extort cocaine from a drug trafficker. John R. Desantis, Jr., 44, of Methuen, was indicted on one count of extortion and attempted extortion under color of official […]
BOSTON—Five members of Teamsters Local 25 were arrested today in connection with attempting to extort a television production company that was filming a reality show in the Boston area in spring 2014. The United States Attorney Carmen Ortiz has indicted Mark Harrington, 61, of Andover; John Fidler, 51, of Holbrook; Daniel Redmond, 47, of Medford; […]
By: Tom Duggan January 8, 2014 (Rivera’s Other Moves) LAWRENCE – Just days after taking office as Lawrence’s new mayor, the Valley Patriot has learned that Mayor Dan Rivera has put Deputy Police Chief Melix Bonilla on unpaid suspension. Bonilla is making $140,00 a year and was placed on paid leave by former mayor William Lantigua […]
By: Tom Duggan – September 17, 2012 In the wake of two more members of the Lantigua administration being indicted last week, State Representative Jim Lyons, (R) Andover, is calling Lawrence Mayor Willie Lantigua’s administration a “corrupt criminal enterprise” that should no longer be enabled by the state taxpayers. Lyons says that the corruption […]
Marc LaPlante Calls Lantigua “Wayward Mayor” BREAKING – September 11, 2012 In the wake of indictments against Lawrence Mayor Willie Lantigua’s Chief of Staff and Deputy Police Chief today, Lawrence City Councilor Marc LaPlante says that he is concerned the “conspiracy” charges against Lenny Degnan and Melix Bonilla may lead to Lantigua himself. “It is […]
By: Tom Duggan, June, 2011 With several law enforcement agencies investigating the finances and political dealings of Lawrence Mayor Willie Lantigua, and the Boston media finally waking up to his political shenanigans, the question most people are asking is: can Lantigua survive? Let me start by saying that I’ve known and studied the political genius […]
PAYING ATTENTION with Tom Duggan – November, 2009 Few people can really understand the magnitude of the changes that are about to occur in the City of Lawrence with the election of State Representative Willie Lantigua (da chief). Not only did Willie win an overwhelming victory on Election Day, but almost every one of […]