FBI raids Providence strip club

Jun 21, 2010, 11:05 PM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Special agents from the FBI raided a Providence strip club on Monday, removing potential evidence in an on-going federal investigation.

A manager at the Cadillac Lounge confirmed the development with the Target 12 Investigators. He said the agents were there for about 90 minutes removing unknown items.

No one was arrested.

A spokesperson for the FBI said they cannot comment on active investigations.

The Target 12 Investigators have reported the FBI is looking into how the club obtained their liquor license in 2005.

wpri.com

Monday, 21 Jun 2010

comments (5)

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troop15 years ago

ok i know about alcohol/tobaco/firearms but investigating a club because of a liquor license?

sounds more like a state law/issue to me.

Dudester15 years ago

Feds hitting strip clubs in Seattle and Portland, and now Rhode Island.

How's that hopey changey thing working for ya ?

how15 years ago

Dudester, you're sounding like Sarah Palin...

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

uscue1315 years ago

Did someone say strip clubs were supposed to be left alone once someone got elected? I missed that part of the debates

MisterGuy15 years ago

"sounds more like a state law/issue to me."

"How's that hopey changey thing working for ya ?"

Just fine thanx. Once again, this rain had nothing to do with T&A at the club. The Caddy is a strip club that's been known to have mob ties and/or high ranking ties to local politicians that gave the club numerous favors over the years. Providence city govt., in general, has been highly corrupt for many decades now, and the feds have justifiably had their eye on the city for quite some time. As the video accompanying this story said, both the local & state police were in on this recent raid.

"Did someone say strip clubs were supposed to be left alone once someone got elected?"

Nope.

"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"

wpri.com

Melise has a history of extortion in conducting Providence city business.