PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - An ex-stripper has taken the stand in the trial of a suspended Rhode Island police chief accused of stealing $714 from her pocketbook.
Justina Cardoso, 21, was the first witness to testify in the trial of North Providence police Col. John Whiting. The trial began Monday.
The 58-year-old Whiting is accused of taking money from a pocketbook he found after chasing an SUV last August.
Police say Whiting later turned over the money to a Pawtucket officer, telling him to spend it in Las Vegas and not say anything.
Police say the money belonged to Cardoso, who was working at the Satin Doll at the time. Whiting is also accused of asking the officer and Pawtucket police chief to cover up what happened.
Whiting, of North Attleborough, Mass., has pleaded not guilty.
