Disgraced chief to serve 6 months in prison

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- A Rhode Island Police Chief convicted of stealing money from a stripper last year learned his punishment in court Friday morning.

Superior Court Judge Daniel Procaccini, who said "It's right to hold police officers to a higher standard," sentenced North Providence Police John Whiting to a five year sentence, with all but six months suspended.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin said he was pleased with the judge's ruling.

“As prosecutors and defenders of the law, it is our responsibility to apply the law evenly and to seek justice in each and every case, without fear or favor. It is then, and only then, that we can protect the confidence the public has instilled in our criminal justice system," Kilmartin said. "I believe this sentence is fair and appropriate. No one is above the law; no one more so than an individual who has the tremendous responsibility of leading a police department.

Whiting has been suspended from the force since he was found guilty in July of taking about $700 from the purse of Justina Cardoza in August 2011.

Whiting took the money from the purse after a car chase that ended in a crash.  The occupants fled the scene but left the purse in the car. 

Prosecutors said that Whiting pocketed the money from the purse but left other evidence in the vehicle, then turned the money over to a Pawtucket police officer about an hour later.  Whiting denied stealing the money and told the officer to "spend it in Vegas," but said during his trial that the remark wasn't made seriously.

Procaccini also sentenced Whiting to anger management counseling, ordered him to have no contact with Cardoza, the officer to whom he gave the money, and Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King.

North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi told Eyewitness News in July that the town officials were discussing the "procedural process" in terminating the Chief.