The Story of Frank Simmons: From Drug Kingpin to Reluctant Informant
In the gritty underworld of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Frank Simmons, known as “Rizzo,” made a name for himself as a powerful drug dealer in the 1990s. He wasn’t the stereotypical street-level dealer; instead, Frank oversaw a sophisticated operation dealing in large quantities of marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy. To many in the city, he was a figure of immense influence—someone who could walk through various neighborhoods and remain untouchable by the law. But as his wealth and notoriety grew, so did the attention from law enforcement, particularly from a tough narcotics cop named Paul Oliveira.
A Drug Dealer’s Rise and Fall
Frank’s operation was profitable, but it wasn’t without risk. The drug trade in New Bedford was fierce, and the police were relentless. Frank recalls how he and his associates had to constantly stay one step ahead of the cops, moving between different parts of the city to avoid detection. His life was one of excess, living large with cash in hand, spending thousands in clubs and strip joints. Yet, despite his wealth, Frank didn’t feel secure. The fear of being arrested was ever-present, especially with the aggressive narcotics unit on his tail.
By 1998, Frank was dealing in larger quantities, moving ten to twenty pounds of marijuana at a time. But it wasn’t just the pot that brought the attention of the police. As his operation expanded, he began trafficking in cocaine and ecstasy, a move that would later have devastating consequences for him. His days of enjoying a lavish lifestyle were numbered.
The Raid: A Moment of Reckoning
In the summer of 1998, Frank’s worst fears were realized. The police raided his headquarters, a three-story walk-up in the North End of New Bedford. Frank had been warned by his brother that the cops were closing in, but it was too late to escape. When he pulled into his driveway, he was met by a gun to his head and a warrant in hand. Inside the house, the cops found a treasure trove of drugs, cash, and even Frank’s baseball card collection. But according to Frank, the official records didn’t tell the whole story. While the cops reported seizing $2,200, Frank insists there was much more—around $33,000—most of which was pocketed by the officers, including Paul Oliveira.
During the raid, Frank witnessed something that would fuel his anger for years to come. Oliveira, a cop who was known in the streets as “Robocop,” was seen handing out thousands of dollars from the seized money to other officers in what Frank would later call the “green fund.” This was not only a violation of the law but also a personal betrayal. The cops had stolen from him, and now he was faced with the choice of either cooperating with them or facing decades in prison.
The Offer: A Deal with the FBI
After the raid, the FBI stepped in, offering Frank a chance to cooperate in exchange for a reduced sentence. The government had its sights set on Oliveira and his colleagues in the narcotics unit, and Frank could be the key to bringing them down. In exchange for his testimony, Frank was promised relocation and $150,000 in cash. But Frank, a man who prided himself on living by a code, couldn’t bring himself to snitch. For him, the idea of betraying someone—especially a cop—was unthinkable. Despite the temptation of a reduced sentence, Frank refused to become an informant.
But the FBI wasn’t done with him. After turning down their offer, Frank found himself facing more severe charges. The feds pushed harder, threatening him with the RICO Act, a law that could send him to prison for a significant portion of his life. Yet, even with the weight of these charges hanging over him, Frank stood firm in his decision not to cooperate.
The Plea Bargain and The Final Confrontation
As Frank’s case dragged on for years, he kept his head down, hoping to find a way out without compromising his principles. But it wasn’t until a chance encounter with a former cop, Bobby Richard, that things began to change. Richard, an officer who had once worked alongside Oliveira, offered Frank a way out. Richard hinted that he could help Frank secure a plea deal. Within days, Frank’s lawyer was contacted, and a plea bargain was offered. Frank would only serve a few years in prison instead of decades.
The relief was short-lived, though. On the day of his sentencing, Frank was shocked to see Paul Oliveira in the courthouse. Oliveira approached him and, to Frank’s disgust, thanked him for “doing the right thing.” In that moment, Frank’s anger flared. He snapped back, telling Oliveira to go “f*** himself.” It was the last time he would ever have to face the man who had betrayed him, and yet, it was also the moment that sealed Oliveira’s fate—allowing him to rise to become New Bedford’s police chief.
The Fallout: A Legacy of Corruption
Though Frank’s refusal to cooperate with the FBI led to a reduced sentence for him, it ultimately allowed Oliveira to avoid prosecution. The FBI’s investigation into the corruption within the New Bedford narcotics unit faltered, unable to move forward due to a lack of willing informants. Many believed that Oliveira had used his power and influence to interfere with the investigation. Eventually, he would rise to become the police chief, a position of authority that many thought he never should have held.
The story of Frank Simmons is a tale of loyalty, pride, and the harsh realities of the drug trade. Despite the chance to bring down a corrupt cop, Frank stayed true to his own code. In the end, he may have won a smaller victory, but the larger battle for justice would remain unresolved. The city’s police department remained under the shadow of corruption, with Oliveira continuing to hold power while Frank was left to reflect on the choices that defined his life.