Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha made the announcement on Friday, revealing the details of the indictment.
Five individuals, including a local probate judge, have been charged in connection with an alleged theft of valuable sports cards and firearms from the estate of a deceased man in Cranston, Rhode Island
The estate in question belonged to James Barbieri, and it contained an impressive collection of sports cards estimated to be worth over $1 million of sports cards, along with firearms valued at more than $100,000. According to the indictment, Barbieri passed away on April 26, 2021, leaving no will. During his final days, Barbieri was under sedation and intubation. Shockingly, a close friend of his allegedly took advantage of the situation, unlawfully removing sports cards from Barbieri’s home just two days before his death. This friend, along with two accomplices, is accused of selling a portion of the stolen sports cards and actively seeking buyers for the pilfered goods. Furthermore, they transported the stolen sports cards to a storage unit, presumably for later illegal sales. In a separate incident, the owner of a gun shop allegedly participated in the illegal sale of firearms that were taken from Barbieri’s estate.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the indictment also alleges that Priscilla Facha DiMaio, a probate judge from Johnston, filed misleading claims with the Cranston Probate Court
However, investigators assert that these claims are substantially false. As of now, three of the indicted individuals have been arraigned and have entered pleas of not guilty. DiMaio, the probate judge, is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday. The situation has raised significant concern, and authorities are continuing to investigate further.
Attempts to reach DiMaio for comment were unsuccessful, as a message left at the probate court in Johnston went unanswered. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the importance of safeguarding valuable assets, including sports cards, especially in the absence of a clear will.