East Providence Police Chief: Department Wins 'Megabucks' in Google Forfeiture

The will receive  by Google Inc. for allowing Canadian pharmacies to place advertisements that resulted in illegal drug importation into the United States.

East Providence Police Chief Joseph Tavares said the scope of money is "unprecedented," from his office on Monday afternoon, noting this is one of the largest forfeiture awards ever granted to an American municipal department.

"We're still getting used to the idea," he said. "This is the Megabucks of law enforcement and East Providence has won."

Approximately $330 million will be shared among nine local, state and federal agencies, with the majority of the funds distributed to local and state law enforcement agencies. Rhode Island agencies will receive $230 million of the money. The equitable sharing of funds is determined based upon the time and resources each agency provided to the investigation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to Chief Tavares, East Providence gets to reap some of the spoils thanks to the department's work that started in 2009; some of the preliminary investigations were rooted in the city. He specifically praised the work of United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and the efforts of Food and Drug Administration/Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA/OCI) Special Agent Jason Simonian, Lt. Barry Ramer and Sgt. Mike Jones, East Providence police officers.

An investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FDA/OCI revealed that as early as 2003, Google was on notice that online Canadian pharmacies were advertising prescription drugs to Google users in the U.S. through Google's AdWorks advertising program. 

"This is a great day for the city," the chief said, adding the funds will be used to benefit the city for years to come. "To think that even in these times the city could get such a windfall. It will have positive ramifications."

According to the chief, the dispersal of funds will be audited by the U.S. Department of Justice. Under the Equitable Sharing Program, the agency asked for a detailed spending plan prior to the distribution approval. 

"It will be easily tracked," he said said, adding the city manager, city council members and budget commission members will be part of the spending process. 

He refrained from divulging specific initiatives listed in the spending plan submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice; however, he said the money can only be used for "law enforcement related expenditures." He anticipates capital purchases such as vehicles, firearms and building upgrades will be funded, in addition to police training and social programs, like youth drug prevention.

The funds cannot be supplanted into the city's general fund, though department costs are expected to lessen.

"We can't put it toward other departments," he said. "If we do, it'll be taken away."

Rhode Island Law Enforcement Equitable Sharing:

East Providence Police Department: $60 million
North Providence Police Department: $60 million
R.I. Attorney General: $60 million
R.I. State Police: $45 million
R.I. National Guard: $5 million

Federal Law Enforcement Equitable Sharing:

U.S. Postal Service: $40 million
IRS: $35 million
U.S. Secret Service: $15 million
ICE: $10 million 

The remaining $170 million will be deposited into the Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture Fund.