Three N. Prov. Councilmen Plead Not Guilty to Additional Charges

Three N. Prov. Councilmen Plead Not Guilty to Additional Charges

Three former North Providence town councilmen have pled not guilty to additional charges of conspiracy, extortion, and bribery.

The threemen—Joseph S. Burchfield, Raymond L. Douglas III and John A. Zambarano—had already been charged with taking a $25,000 bribe in exchange for a vote on a supermarket development. But last week U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha announced new charges for an attempted extortion of $5,000 from a restaurant owner seeking an extended hours permit and two extorted bribe attempts—a $75,000 bribe for a vote in favor of a residential development and $3,000 for a liquor license for a bar.

Today, the three councilmen pled not guilty before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David L. Martin.

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Neronha said the FBI is still investigating the issue and urged anyone with any knowledge related to the alleged conduct of the three councilmen to contact the FBI. “The investigation is not over,” Neronha said. “Anyone with information would do well to step forward.”