Results of bad check probe revealed

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - An independent investigation launched in the wake of a bad check scandal involving the brother of Providence Mayor David Cicilline is complete. It found the mayor did not attempt to influence anyone in the case.

Cicilline's brother, disgraced former lawyer John Cicilline, is being investigated for writing bad checks in 2006 to the Providence Tax Collector's office, in an attempt to cover back taxes owed by one of his clients.

The Mayor repeatedly denied any knowledge about his brother's bad checks. However, in December of 2008, a former aide in the Cicilline Administration, claimed he personally told the Mayor about the problem.

After that came to light, the Mayor ordered an independent company to launch an investigation. Now, the Target 12 Investigator’s have learned that investigation is complete.

In a 42-page report, the independent firm hired to investigate the infamous bad checks has come to the conclusion the Mayor did not attempt to influence anyone in that matter.

However, the investigation did find that after John Cicilline wrote the bad checks in 2006, top aides surrounding the Mayor instructed the tax collector not to cash the check.

“They provided some very useful guidance and set of recommendations of things that can be done in the Office of the Tax Collector to improve the operations to put into place a series of procedures that would have revealed this event,” Mayor Cicilline said.

The report found the Mayor’s former Chief of Staff Christopher Bizacco told the tax collector to hold off on the check when it became clear John Cicilline didn't have the money to back it.

The findings say there are conflicting results as to when the mayor was informed. Bizacco said he met with the mayor early on. The Mayor and his former Director of Administration John Simmons deny the meeting ever happened.

In an exclusive last month, Target 12 met up with Bizacco outside his Cambridge apartment, and he stuck with his story that he told the Mayor.

Cicilline said, “I just said, Chris I know you believe you told me about this, but you didn’t.”

Tax Collector Robert Ceprano was suspended with pay when the scandal burst onto the public scene. To date, the outstanding tax bill of 130 thousand dollars -- owed by John Cicilline client Nelson Garcia has yet to be paid.

In the report, the Mayor admits he advocated on behalf of those who he felt the city wronged, or had made an honest mistake.

A State Police investigation into the matter is on-going.