Scoundrels: Defining Corruption Through Tales of Political Intrigue in Rhode Island

by Paul F. Caranci, Thomas Blacke (With)

It has been said that political corruption is as old as government itself. Yet despite its timeless nature and its devastating impact on society, “political corruption” remains an elusive term that is difficult to define. In order to fully grasp its impact on government and society as a whole, it is critical to first have at least a cursory understanding of what corruption is and how it is measured. Using several infamous instances of corruption in Rhode Island politics as its framework (considered by many to be one of our nation’s most corrupt states), Defining Corruption Through Tales of Political Intrigue in Rhode Island attempts to define what has not always been easily recognized and for years, has eluded traditional definition. This book examines and categorizes various forms of corruption – including both active and passive practices – that have negative and deteriorating affects not only on the individuals who fall victim to the corrupt acts, but on society as a whole. Scoundrels is an unsettling chronicle of corruption in our times. And the authors warn that until all citizens unite in their opposition to, and the exposing of, all government corruption, nothing in our society will change, and our government of the people, by the people and for the people will continue to hurt the people it was intended to help.

228 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2016

About the author

Paul F. Caranci is a public speaker and the author of 12 books. He is a third-generation resident of North Providence, RI and has been a student of history for many years. He served as RI Deputy Secretary of State for eight years and was elected to the town council where he served for almost seventeen years. He has a BA in political science from Providence College and is working toward an MPA from Roger Williams University.
Together with his wife Margie he founded The Municipal Heritage Group in 2009. He is an incorporating member of the Association of Rhode Island Authors (ARIA) and a member of the board of the RI Publication Society. Paul also served on the board of both the Heritage Harbor Museum and the RI Heritage Hall of Fame. He is past chairman of the Diabetes Foundation of RI where he served on the board for over fifteen years.
During his tenure on the town council, Paul's efforts to successfully pass laws and implement health policies earned him several public health awards including the James Carney Public Health Award from the RI Dept. of Health, an advocacy award from the American Cancer Society, the advocate of the year award from the Diabetes Foundation of RI and an advocacy award from the American Diabetes Association.
In 2015, Paul was awarded the Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award for Political Courage, the highest honor awarded by the National Association of Secretaries of State, for his undercover role in exposing political corruption in his hometown of North Providence. His undercover work with the FBI, in breaking up what a federal judge called a criminal empire, is the subject of Paul's seventh book, Wired: A Shocking True Story of Political Corruption and the FBI Informant Who Risked Everything to Expose It.
Four of the books that Paul wrote were recognized with awards. The Hanging & Redemption of John Gordon: The True Story of Rhode Island's Last Execution (The History Press, 2013) was voted on of the top five non-fiction books of 2013 by the Providence Journal. Scoundrels: Defining Corruption Through Tales of Political Intrigue in Rhode Island (Stillwater River Publications 2016) was the winner of the 2016 Dorry Award as the non-fiction book of the year. The Promise of Fatima: One Hundred Years of History, Mystery and Faith (Stillwater River Publications, 2017), and I Am The Immaculate Conception: The Story of Bernadette of Lourdes (Stillwater River Publications, 2018), were named finalists in the International Book Awards in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
The movie rights to four of Paul's books, The Hanging & Redemption of John Gordon: The True Story of Rhode Island's Last Execution, The Promise of Fatima: One Hundred Years of History, Mystery and Faith, I Am The Immaculate Conception: The Story of Bernadette of Lourdes, and Terror in Wichita: A True Story of One Woman's Courage and Her Will to Live (Stillwater River Publications, 2020) have been sold to a Hollywood production company and may one day be featured on the big screen.
Paul and his wife Margie have two adult children and four grandchildren.

Reviews

[Bree Amaral · Rating 5 out of 5]

My June 2022 Non-Fiction Book of the Month

I love supporting local authors, and met Paul Caranci at a local author event a few weeks ago. As a former political science major, a book defining political corruption through case studies in my local state was definitely intriguing!

Caranci and co-author Blacke attempt to define the almost undefinable and immeasurable act of political corruption in this book. It’s quite an undertaking, but well done. If you are interested in real life political intrigue and RI history, you will surely love this book! I even recognized many of the names, and my current place of work was actually mentioned twice. (Oh, and my favorite roast beef sandwich joint. Yum!)

Worth the read, especially to support local authors!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

...and this is just the tip of the icebreg when it comes to corruption in RI.

This book touches on some mini-scandals and spends a great deal of time on DiPrete.

It's amazing what you can get away with if you know the right people.
My lack of faith in local government is justified.

[Kathy Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, well written. If you have read Wired, Scoundrels is the obvious next read. Great job Paul!