EXTRA...

Did Russian Mafia loot Sandwich? Harwich charity to up the ante; Sea Captain laid to rest

TODAY's quote: "We just thought, wow, we've got to get money out on the streets so people don't starve or freeze." - Andrea Silbert 

Police: Russian mob may have looted Sandwich
As much as $50,000 may be missing 

Investigators in Sandwich believe organized crime in Russia may be behind the disappearance of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money.

Four illegal withdrawals were made over a 10-day period beginning Nov. 4. - Miller

Sandwich Police Chief Michael Miller says the thieves hacked into a town computer, stole passwords and used them to make wire transfers.

Miller told the Cape Cod Times that a total of less than $50,000 was wired to banks in Florida and Georgia, and at least one transfer was traced to St. Petersburg, Russia. That led authorities to speculate that the Russian mob was involved in the scheme... Herald.
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Eos Foundation in Harwich to increase aid
Lack of donations in tight economy fuels philanthropy

With a triple threat of increased fuel and food costs and the mortgage crisis in full play this winter, four philanthropic foundations are giving a combined $1.1 million to food banks, fuel assistance programs, and other nonprofit organizations, helping to bridge the gap in shrinking donations this holiday season.

"This is the new landscape in philanthropy."
               - Andrea Silbert

"We just thought, wow, we've got to get money out on the streets so people don't starve or freeze," said Andrea Silbert, president of the Eos Foundation of Boston and Harwich Port, a family organization with the stated mission to "break the cycle of poverty by investing in children."

Silbert said the foundation had planned in August to give about $100,000, but decided to "step it up a notch."

"This is the new landscape in philanthropy," she said. "The need, it's off the charts, and we're only in November. We're hearing from food banks that they're seeing a whole new group of people coming in. They're getting people who are just above the poverty level and working, but can't make ends meet."

The foundation contacted three other similar organizations, the Highland Street Foundation of Framingham, the Fireman Foundation of Boston, and an anonymous donor. Today at 10 a.m., representatives from the four organizations and Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray will hold a news conference at the Greater Boston Food Bank to officially announce the fund... Globe. 
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Fishing captain remembered as 'good son, husband, father' in memorial Mass

Recovery efforts are being negotiated for divers to see if his body is still inside the boat, which sank in 98 feet of water.

He was last seen entering the wheelhouse to call for help.

A good son, a good husband and a good father" is how Antonio Mesquita of New Bedford was remembered Tuesday evening in a memorial Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

More than 300 mourners packed the South End church to honor the memory of Mr. Mesquita, the 56-year-old fishing captain who went missing Nov. 13 when the Costa & Corvo capsized and sank 100 miles east of Cape Cod.

Tuesday, a picture of Mr. Mesquita, a native of Portugal, was placed alongside flowers in front of the sanctuary. His relatives occupied the first two pews in the church. Friends and acquaintances filled the rest... Standard-Times.