FBI Investigates the Cadillac Lounge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Target 12 has learned two agents from the Providence office of the FBI paid a visit to the Cadillac Lounge.

Recently, afternoon two agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations dropped by the Cadillac Lounge on Charles Street in Providence. Sources tell Target 12, the agents questioned two club managers: General Manager Teddy Cardillo, and manager Ronald Dequattro.

Both were questioned for about 30 minutes, separately. Sources tell us the agents were asking questions about the multi-year investigation into how the club obtained its liquor license. Two years ago, Target 12 reported agents from the FBI combed through files from the Providence Board of Licenses and questioned several board members.

In 2005, two board members, Steven Daniels and Joan Badway voted to grant the club's license to serve alcohol despite legal advice from city lawyers not to do so. With only one dissenting vote and two absences, the license was issued.

Sources tell Target 12 part of the investigation centers around former Providence city employee Edward "Buckles" Melise. Investigators are looking into Melise's alleged attempt to get the strip club a liquor license through political influence.

Providence police Sgt. Peter Costello wrote several memo's to police brass citing an informant who said Melise was working to bribe an official on behalf of the club. The Target 12 Investigators stopped by the Cadillac Lounge for a comment.

We were told Cardillo and Dequattro were not in.Melise has a previous corruption charge. In 1984, he pleaded guilty to extorting 64 thousand dollars from snow plow contractors.