AlvesSucks.com

• NEW! Anchor Rising: Coincidence or Nepotism? Senator Steve Alves' Job-A-Rama - June 1, 2008. From Anchor Rising, the conservative blog.
  
• Alves loses his State House legal adviser to Montalbano - October 8, 2007. From the Providence Journal. Hmmm, let's read between the lines a little here, OK? Why promote Flynn, why... now? Is this a scheme to establish attorney-client privilege with both Alves and Montalbano, to render Flynn subpoena-proof? Is this more evidence to suggest that Alves and Montalbano are in this endeavor together? How is such posturing treated by the racketeering and conspiracy laws? These are legal questions which the FBI and the grand jury (and perhaps a jury) may have to examine.
  
• Alves case generates grand jury subpoenas - October 5, 2007. From the Providence Journal. "Montalbano, who recently paid a $12,000 ethics fine for failure to disclose his title work for the Town of West Warwick, said that he is '100-percent' behind Alves. 'I don’t make leadership decisions based on newspaper articles,' said Montalbano. 'He’s got a record of accomplishment. He’s a person of compassion.'" Translation: Alves and I share power as Statehouse bosses, and we stick together.
  
• Alves calls tax-deal allegations ‘ridiculous and baseless’ - October 4, 2007. From the Providence Journal. "Yesterday, Alves fought back. He said that he wasn’t opposed to the tax break for Duie Pyle, but that advocates for the company failed to lobby him in a timely fashion. Calling the allegations “ridiculous and baseless,” the West Warwick Democrat said that he will “absolutely not” step aside." ... "As Senate Finance chairman, Alves helps shape the budget that the House Finance Committee passes, sitting with his House counterpart, Rep. Steven M. Costantino, D-Providence, to hash out what’s in and what’s out. Those meetings are so secretive, said Rep. Jan. P. Malik, D-Warren, that he’s not even allowed to attend — and he’s a vice chairman of House Finance." Welcome to open and accountable government, Rhode  Island style. Maybe this is a fancy way of saying that all the financial decisions in the state are made by two guys in a back room --and one of them is Alves. What a depressing thought.
  
• Senator urged to step aside - October 3, 2007. From the Providence Journal. "Governor Carcieri called for Sen. Stephen D. Alves to step aside as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee yesterday, reacting to reports that the FBI is investigating the West Warwick Democrat for allegedly killing tax-incentive legislation for a Pennsylvania trucking company."
  
• FBI Investigates Sen. Alves in tax bill's demise - September 30, 2007. From the Providence Journal. "Now, the FBI is investigating whether Alves killed the measure to punish Polisena for not investing Johnston pension funds with Alves, a stockbroker."  Perhaps this is one explanation of why Alves brought a SLAPP suit against citizen critics back in 2001, when they wrote questioning letters to the editor. Oh, one more thing: Alves lost his job with UBS. Does that mean he was fired?
  
• Investigators question $100,000 for pension fund work --April 15, 2007. From the Providence Journal. "Last fall, a lawyer for a local union pension fund came across a puzzling entry on the fund’s federal tax return — a $100,000 commission that had reportedly been split by Daniel DaPonte and Stephen D. Alves. DaPonte and Alves, Rhode Island state senators and financial advisers who worked at UBS Financial Services, didn’t handle any of the pension fund’s investments. So why, the fund’s trustees wondered, did the return say that they had each received $50,000?"
• W. Warwick finance, pension officials questioned in probe --March 13, 2007. From the Providence Journal. "Federal investigators also have subpoenaed records regarding various financial dealings in town, including contracts with Alves’ employer, UBS Paine Webber, to help manage West Warwick pension funds. The Journal has previously reported that Alves, an investment adviser, is among seven politicians under investigation as part of a wide-ranging State House influence-peddling probe dubbed Operation Dollar Bill."
• TOM WARD - We're 'saddened' by corruption when we should be furious --February 7, 2007. From the Valley Breeze. "When Alves was sought for comment by the Journal, he was found to be on a Florida vacation. Forget his "philosophical" comments. I want to know why a man of his Senate rank is on a Florida vacation while work goes on, and with the entire Assembly scheduled for its normal February vacation in just a few weeks."
• Alves's outburst --December 26, 2006. From the Providence Journal.
• Senate senator Alves: I was not drunk --December 22, 2006. From the Kent County Times.
• Tempers flare between senator, Town Council --December 21, 2006. From the Providence Journal.
• State Senator Makes Scene At Council Meeting --December 20, 2006. From Channel 10. "He was wobbling. They had to carry him. He was almost being carried out," said eyewitness Michael Pinga."
  
• Council meeting ends in ruckus after state senator's 'threats' --December 20, 2006. From the Kent County Times.
• Senate president welcomes FBI probe of W. Warwick work --October 25, 2006. From The Providence Journal. "Earlier yesterday, Jeanne-Marie DiMasi, a West Warwick councilwoman, told The Journal that she was questioned recently by the FBI about how Montalbano came to be hired in West Warwick. She said that she told the FBI that Montalbano was recommended by another powerful senator, Finance Committee Chairman Stephen D. Alves of West Warwick."
• Lack of town contributions puts pension fund in jeopardy --June 8, 2006. From the Providence Journal.  "From 2000 to 2003, Stephen D. Alves, a Democratic state senator and the chairman of the influential Senate Finance Committee, headed the town's Pension Board."
  
• West Warwick warning --June 2, 2006. From the Providence Journal.  "The town's taxes are about to explode. Indeed, the property-tax rate for fiscal 2008 alone could rise 14.3 percent, and 6-percent-a-year increases will later be needed unless changes are made.The reason? The cost of benefits for public employees is soaring. The town officials have promised to give vast sums of money to these politically powerful interests without budgeting for them."
• Web site gets nasty with Alves --April 19, 2006. From the Kent County Times. Yippey! We made the paper!
  
• Legislators Alves, Paiva-Weed favor illegal immigrants over state taxpayers --April 18, 2006. From the Kent County Times.
  
• Hal Meyer: The Rhode Island Shell Game --April 6, 2006. Where are the so called "lower taxes?" Are they under this shell? Nope. How about this shell? Nada. Keep guessing!
  
• Voter-initiative bill dies in committee --April 6, 2006. From the Providence Journal. Alves is one of the State House bosses who kills the voter initiative proposal, denying Rhode Island citizens a greater role in state government.
  
• Alves's tax on learning --June 19, 2005. From the Providence Journal.
  
• Edward Achorn: Sen. Alves's curious career --January 6, 2004. From the Providence Journal.
• Sen. Alves no stranger to controversy --January 6, 2004. From the Providence Journal.
  
• Ethics board says Alves will have to recuse self --May 14, 2002. From the Kent County Times. "The Rhode Island Ethics Commission advised Sen. Stephen D. Alves (D-Dist. 19) that he needs to recuse himself on two issues concerning the pension board and USB Paine Webber, Alves' employer and the pension's board consulting firm."

• FBI agent’s brilliant career didn’t begin with Buddy - October 14, 2007. From the Providence Journal. FBI Agent Dennis Aiken is retiring, after a storied career. "FOUR YEARS LATER, Celona is in prison and cooperating with the FBI, two former Roger Williams executives convicted, two CVS executives indicted. Last week, another lawmaker, former House Majority Leader Gerard Martineau, admitted selling his office for $900,000 in contracts to sell paper and plastic bags to CVS and Blue Cross. The current Senate President, Joseph A. Montalbano, and Senate Finance Chairman, Stephen D. Alves, are also under investigation, as well as several other politicians and corporations."
• Ex-legislator to plead guilty to corruption - October 10, 2007. From the Providence Journal.  "Gerard M. Martineau, the former Rhode Island House majority leader is the second ex-legislator, after John Celona, to admit to selling his office in the federal State House corruption probe known as Operation Dollar Bill."
• Celona Pleads No Contest - February 20, 2007. From The Providence Journal. State Senator John Celona gets sentenced to prison: "While the state case never went to trial, it was alleged in a companion federal case that he received about $319,000 in hidden payments from Roger Williams, CVS and Blue Cross during a period of time in which he was a high-ranked state senator, presiding over the Senate committee that handled bills affecting the health-care industry including much-debated pharmacy “freedom of choice” legislation."
  
• Operation Dollar Bill - February 4, 2007. From The Providence Journal. "THE COMMON THREAD in the various investigations under way, says U.S. Attorney Corrente, is information provided by John Celona — and the fact that “all, in one fashion or another, involve public corruption.”
• Operation Dollar Bill - From WikiPedia.

• NEW! Bill Palazzo: After court sided with senator, Senate backed courthouse --May 4, 2008. From The Providence Journal. Chief Justice Frank Williams completely destroys whatever confidence the public had in the RI judiciary. 
  
• RI Supreme Court .com --Bill Palazzo's protest page.
• Courthouse Now Planned For Smithfield --April 11, 2008. From The Providence Journal. What a coincidence! The Williams court blocks the Palazzo lawsuit against Senator Alves, and only days later, Judge Williams announces plans for his new courthouse in Smithfield! The taxpayer tab for the new courthouse is a reported $88.58 million. Hmmm, which powerful Senator has his hands on the purse strings? What amazing timing!! See  Frank Williams Sucks .com
• Ruling Blocks Suit Against Lawmaker --April 10, 2008. From The Providence Journal. What a coincidence! The Williams court blocks the Palazzo lawsuit against Senator Alves, and only days later, Judge Williams announces plans for his new courthouse in Smithfield! The taxpayer tab for the new courthouse is a reported $88.58 million. Hmmm, which powerful Senator has his hands on the purse strings? What amazing timing!! See  Frank Williams Sucks .com
• Palazzos sue over SLAPP lawsuit --May 26, 2005. From the Kent County Times. "For three years they wrote a monthly check to their lawyer to defend themselves against a lawsuit that the courts deemed illegal -- a SLAPP suit (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation). For three years the case was hanging over their heads."
• Edward Achorn: When a constituent isn't a constituent --October 19, 2004. From The Providence Journal. "But, in my view, a powerful politician who tries to rob a citizen of his First Amendment rights -- sending a chilling message to many others who might otherwise question or criticize politicians -- deserves a greater rebuke than having to pay back some of his victim's legal bills. "
  
• Alves vs. the Constitution --October 2, 2004. from the Providence Journal. Senator Alves's lawyer, John Lynch, called the outcome of the case "an education" for his client..."They're not normal citizens anymore. They can be criticized. They have to learn that."
• Edward Achorn: Sen. Alves a disgrace to his state --August 17, 2004. From the Providence Journal. "In its ruling, the court found that Sen. Stephen Alves (D.-West Warwick) -- chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, one of the most powerful posts in Rhode Island government -- had tried to use the courts to bully and intimidate a constituent into silence."
• High Court Rules for Palazzo --August 11, 2004. From the Kent County Times. "I think whenever you have a public official suing a constituent, suing someone for criticizing them in letters to the editor, you have a dynamic that is challenging," said Brenner.
• Stephen Alves v. Hometown Newspapers, Inc., d/b/a The Kent County Daily Times et al, No. 03-181 (August 4, 2004) [.PDF file]  --August 4, 2004. RI Supreme Court decision. "The Supreme Court affirmed the grant of summary judgment. It held that Palazzo’s letters, which expressed his concerns over the escalating costs of the school building project, were prototypical examples of protected free speech directed to members of the interested community over matters of public concern that are being considered by a governmental body. Furthermore, the statements of which the plaintiff complained were clearly statements of the defendant’s opinion based on previously disclosed facts. The Supreme Court also affirmed the award to Palazzo of costs and attorneys’ fees."
  
• Edward Achorn: Will court defend powerful pol, or free speech? --August 3, 2004. From the Providence Journal.
  
• Senate votes tomorrow on budget --June 23, 2004. From the Providence Journal.  "Asked this week if he had any concerns about whether supporting a budget that gives new powers to the courts could conflict with his pending case, Alves responded: 'Absolutely not. It's two different things -- one's the state budget, the other is something in my private life,' he said."  Uh... NO. When you are trying to silence a citizen who is criticizing your official acts, it is not your personal life, it is your public life.
  
• Alves told to pay $17,471 --September 17, 2002. From the Kent County Times.

• Get out your checkbooks, West Warwick --May 2, 2006. From the Kent County Times.
• W. Warwick council vote unexplained --February 29, 2004. From the Providence Journal. "The council had originally chosen Quick & Reilly to underwrite the majority of the bond sale. But at the very next meeting, the council switched and directed the business to UBS Paine Webber, eventually netting the company more than $50,000 in fees.A month later, West Warwick Sen. Stephen D. Alves, a member of the committee that spent the bond money, started working for UBS as a vice president for investments, a job he holds today. "
  
• R.I. raises $685.4 million with sale of tobacco bonds --June 21, 2002. From the Providence Journal. "Yesterday's deal will also provide $6.3 million in fees to the lawyers, brokerage houses, rating agencies, financial advisers, printers and the like, who were given roles in the deal.The underwriters, led by UBS PaineWebber Inc. -- and their own lawyers at Tillinghast Licht Perkins Smith & Cohen, in Providence, and Hiscock & Barclay, in New York -- will split the first $4.75 million, in amounts that were still being calculated last night."
• Tobacco deal means millions in firm fees --May 24, 2002. From the Providence Journal. "About $5.3 million in legal and underwriting fees are riding on one of the least understood, least explained -- but most costly -- items within the state budget racing toward a vote by the House early next week: the sale of Rhode Island's right to decades worth of tobacco-settlement payments. " Guess which company was lead underwriter? Alves employer UBS Paine Webber.
  

• FBI Gets West Warwick papers --October 23, 2006. From The Providence Journal.
• FBI grabs Montalbano records in W.W.  --October 20, 2006. From the Kent County Times. Possible conflict of interest of elected official.
• W. Warwick official charged with bribery in corruption probe --September 28, 2006. From the Providence Journal.  "Robert B. Boyer, chairman of the town's Economic Development Commission and a land surveyor, is accused of offering the town building official bribes. "
• Giroux admits leaking confidential budget report --June 9, 2006. From the Providence Journal. "The 33-page document, its contents reported in the May 26 edition of the Journal, was drafted by Finance Director Malcolm A. Moore. It projected a 14.3 percent increase in the property tax rate in fiscal 2008."
  
• Corruption Allegations place town under thick cloud --November 7, 2005. From the Providence Journal.
  
• Council names new casino deal bargainer --May 25, 2005. From The Providence Journal. "Town Councilman Leo J. Costantino Jr. last night derided the council's decision to fire its casino negotiator and replace him with lawyer John Lynch, calling the move 'political patronage.' "
• Dodes: Town's a "political snakepit" --September 17, 2004. From the Providence Journal.
  
• W.W. Town Planner unhappy with the plan to replace him --September 1, 2004. From the Kent County Times.
  
• They Can't Be Serious --West Warwick blog.
• Bright Side West Warwick --West Warwick blog.
  

• Alves bio --Source: RI General Assembly website
• Alves official homepage --Source: RI General Assembly website
• The RI Constitution, Article III --"Of qualifications for office." Note Section 7.
  

• Sheldon Whitehouse Sucks -Another RI official doing a lousy job.
• Tim Williamson Sucks --Who does this guy represent? Another Democratic party boss from West Warwick.
  
• Frank Williams Sucks --Big ego judge.
  
• Patrick Lynch Sucks --Highly conflicted RI Attorney General who defended Williams.
• Langevin Sucks --Union toady.
• Patrick Kennedy Sucks --"Above the Law-er" helped to put President Clinton above the law.
• Jack Reed Sucks --Another Clinton lapdog.

• Narragansett Indian Casino -Insider bonanza.
  

• ChillingEffects.org -- "Chilling Effects aims to help you understand the protections that the First Amendment and intellectual property laws give to your online activities."
• EFF.org -The Electronic Frontier Foundation
  
• Kathleen Kennedy Townsend loses second WIPO case -Public officials sometimes try to make bogus trademark claims to grab domains and avoid citizen/ constituent criticism
  
• Maryland Politician Loses Domain Case -Kathleen Kennedy Townsend loses domain dispute. Public officials are fair game for criticism.
  
• DorsetPolice.Com/ .Net Precedent  -Actual decision text stating that descriptive domain names are allowed in government free speech situations. The finding was "there is a general, legitimate interest in allowing citizens to use descriptive domain names to publish criticism about their government."
  • Cop's Critic Can Keep Domains -News story on the Dorset case.