City Moves to Block Pensions for Corrupt Cops
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Providence Retirement Board is moving to revoke or reduce the pensions of two city police officers who were implicated in the Operation Deception drug investigation by State Police.
Former Detective Joseph Colanduono pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of larceny over $500, and one count of harboring a criminal. Sgt. Stephen T. Gonsalves pled no contest to two misdemeanor drug charges.
The retirement board Wednesday will consider cutting both of their pensions.
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The move comes just days after Mayor Angel Taveras signed into law a revised ordinance that allows the city to revoke the pensions for employees who rendered “dishonorable service” even if there was never a formal criminal conviction for their misconduct. The ordinance was revised after the Supreme Court ruled that it only applied to employees with criminal convictions.
Yesterday, several city councilmen said there is no question the two officers—who have publicly admitted their misconduct—should have their pensions pulled.
‘They shouldn't get anything at all’
“It’s not a real gray area,” said Councilman Luis Aponte.
“We do have a good Police Department. We do have some bad apples and what is happening is the people involved in this criminal act really embarrassed the Police Department—and they undermined the work that they do,” said Councilman Miguel Luna. “I really feel they shouldn’t get anything at all.”
“They destroyed with their feet what they built with their hands,” Luna added, quoting a popular Dominican saying.
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