CHIEF ON TRIAL Justina Cardoso, 21, left testified Monday at the trial of North Providence Police Chief John Whiting (right), who is charged with stealing cash from her SUV following a chase during Tropical Storm Irene last August. Pool photos by Steve Szydlowski / The Providence Journal

Patrolman testifies police chief stole cash from stripper

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Posted: 6/18/2012 6:09:07 PM
Updated: 6/18/2012 6:23:12 PM

Veteran Pawtucket Patrolman John Brown testified Monday that suspended North Providence police Chief John Whiting gave him a wet wad of $714 that Whiting said he'd stolen from a crashed SUV. 

Whiting's trial began Monday in Superior Court in Providence.  He is charged with stealing the money following a chase as Tropical Storm Irene came ashore in August, 2011, and then trying to solicit Pawtucket police to lie about the theft to cover it up.

"He pointed at a pocketbook that was in the back of my police car," Brown testified near the end of the first day of testimony at Whiting's trial. 

"And he said, 'I've never stolen anything in my life'.  Then he said, 'that pocketbook, I found in in the yard at 24 Paisley Street, and it was loaded with cash.' 

He said, 'I stole the money.'  He said, 'before you got there, I put the pocketbook in the rear of the green Explorer.'" 

"Then, he said, 'I never stole anything in my life.'  He goes, 'You take this money, I know you like to go to Las Vegas.'  He goes, 'have fun with it and don't say nothing to nobody.'"

Officer Brown said he felt sick, and also frightened.  "My career was flashing before my eyes." He said he took the cash to the police station then told the story to his supervisors, who are expected to testify.  Earlier, former Satin Doll dancer Justina Cardoso, 21, testified a man she knew who she'd picked up out of the stormy weather was at the wheel when Whiting chased them in Pawtucket, because she'd been feeling the effects of drinking and taking several Percocet pills earlier in the morning. She fled the vehicle with two men, leaving behind her purse, cash, shoes and cellphone, because there was an outstanding warrant for her for failing to appear in court.  She was on probation for bribery, extortion and possession charges.

The trial continues on Tuesday.

Steve Klamkin | WPRO News