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Interim Report of the Statewide Grand Jury (Reported November 2, 2011)

Please note: An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. The U.S. Constitution guarantees that a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Statewide Grand Jury reported out indictments yesterday charging 25 individuals with various charges related the May 2011 Rhode Island State Police arrest of organized crime leaders involved in an illegal gambling ring. (See attached chart for individuals and charges).

On May 6, 2011, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and the Rhode Island State Police announced the arrests of the individuals that resulted from a long term investigation into illegal gambling and related criminal activities.

During the fall of 2010, members of the Rhode Island State Police Intelligence Unit initiated an investigation of an organized criminal gambling operation allegedly being conducted by Vincent R. Tallo, of 12 Poppy Hill Drive, Johnston, Rhode Island. In November of 2010, the Office of Attorney General obtained approval for a court authorized wire intercept from the Honorable Alice B. Gibney, Presiding Justice of the Superior Court, allowing members of the State Police to intercept communications over Tallo’s cellular telephone. As a result of information developed during that wiretap, Detectives believed that Tallo was conducting an organized criminal gambling operation by accepting illegal sports wagers on various professional and college sporting events. In addition, the ?

investigation disclosed that Tallo was allegedly illegally purchasing and selling prescription narcotics from his residence.

As the investigation progressed, various accomplices involved in Vincent Tallo’s alleged criminal operation were identified including “made members” of the New England Organized Crime family. Three of these individuals were identified as Edward Lato, of 277 Atwells Avenue, Providence, RI; and Frank “Bobo” Marrapese, Jr., of 104 Elwyn Street, Cranston, RI, and Alfred “Chippy” Scivola, of 104 Brown Avenue, Johnston, RI, who are all long standing members of the Patriarca Organized Crime family.

The State Police and Attorney General Kilmartin obtained further court authorization to monitor and record conversations over Marrapese’s cellular telephone, resulting in evidence of additional criminal activity, including extortion and criminal usury. It is alleged that Marrapese used his standing as a “made” member of the Patriarca Crime Family to assist/participate and direct other co-conspirators to carry out various criminal acts to include extortion.

Investigation further identified Alfred Maiello, of 33 ½ Marne Street in Johnston RI, as allegedly engaging in organized criminal gambling. A court authorized wire intercept was obtained to monitor and record conversations over Maiello’s cellular telephone. During the course of this aspect of the investigation, detectives documented nearly $400,000 in bookmaking activities.

The Rhode Island State Police conducted the investigation with assistance from the Rhode Island Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Unit, the Massachusetts State Police and the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN).

All 25 individuals are scheduled to be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court on December 7, 2011. Frank C. Marrapese is currently held without bail at the ACI. Edward C. Lato and Alfred Scivola are currently in federal custody. All others were released on bail at the time of their arraignment in District Court.

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