Spotlight: Snitch City
Episode 5: “All this for nothing”
Release Date: April 1, 2025

Hosted by The Boston Globe Spotlight Team

Introduction

In Episode 5 of Spotlight: Snitch City, investigative reporter Dugan Arnett delves deeper into the murky world of police informants within the New Bedford Police Department. Titled “All this for nothing,” the episode unravels the intricate web of misconduct, manipulation, and betrayal that entangles both informants and law enforcement officers.

Carly Medeiros' Story

The episode opens with a poignant warning from Dugan Arnett about the sensitive content ahead (00:00).

Carly Medeiros shares her harrowing journey:

• Struggling with Addiction: “I was on drugs, and my life was spiraling out of control. You know, like, who's gonna believe me over a police officer?” (00:08)
• Relationship with Detective Jared Lucas: Carly recounts how her affair with Lucas, a New Bedford detective, began during her deepening heroin addiction (01:14). She expresses the turmoil of being torn between her fiancé, Stephen Ortiz, and Lucas, describing Lucas's fixation on Ortiz (02:20):

  “It felt like he was secretly in love with Steven. Like it was just all about Stephen all the time.” (02:49)

A pivotal moment occurs on Stephen Ortiz's birthday in 2017 when Carly and Stephen are ambushed by police, orchestrated by Lucas (03:09). Carly describes the traumatic event:

“And next thing I knew, I had a gun to my head. And he... he told me, bitch, don't fucking move...” (03:20)

This incident marks Carly's inadvertent entanglement in the confidential informant system, setting the stage for her quest for accountability within the New Bedford Police Department.

The Investigation Deepens

After a series of advertisements, the narrative resumes with Carly Medeiros seeking answers about her role as an informant and the broader implications for the justice system.

Russ's Testimony

A key figure in this investigation is Russ, a former informant whose testimony sheds light on systemic abuses:

• Early Involvement in Drug Trade: Russ begins his involvement at a young age, stating, “I was raised in the gutter, and I turned to drug dealing when I was just 12” (10:01).
• Relationship with Paul Oliveira: Russ details his complex relationship with then-narcotics detective, now Police Chief Paul Oliveira:

  “I was led to believe, like, you can do whatever the fuck you want...” (12:03)

Russ reveals how Oliveira exploited informants to orchestrate numerous drug-related setups, expressing deep regret over the innocent lives affected:

“They were working-class people and good people. More than a majority are.” (13:46)

He further elaborates on his desire to exit the informant role, culminating in a sense of betrayal when Oliveira reneges on promises to help him leave the system (14:13).

Expert Analysis: Alexandra Nadopoff

Alexandra Nadopoff, a Harvard law professor and author of Criminal Informants and the Erosion of American Justice, provides critical insight into the informant system:

• Systemic Issues: Nadopoff highlights the lack of safeguards, noting, “In the informant world, we throw all those protections out the window” (19:02).
• Impact on Vulnerable Populations: She emphasizes the exploitation of marginalized groups, including those with substance abuse disorders and mental health issues (22:18).

Her analysis underscores the pervasive and often unchecked power wielded by police through the informant system, advocating for significant reforms to protect innocent individuals.

Search Warrants Analysis by Andrew Ryan

Andrew Ryan, a fellow Spotlight reporter, conducts an exhaustive analysis of search warrants across Massachusetts:

• High Approval Rates: Ryan discovers that nearly 99.8% of search warrants are approved, with only three rejections out of nearly 2,000 examined (20:03).
• Reliance on Unnamed Informants: A staggering nine out of ten drug raids depend on confidential informants whose identities remain undisclosed, undermining the reliability of evidence (20:18).

Ryan's findings reveal a troubling overreliance on informants without adequate verification, contributing to wrongful convictions and perpetuating corruption within the justice system.

Confronting Police Chief Paul Oliveira

The investigation intensifies as Dugan Arnett and his team attempt to confront Police Chief Paul Oliveira:

• Destroyed Records: It emerges that Oliveira authorized the destruction of over 25 years' worth of internal affairs records shortly after becoming chief, a move unprecedented in over six decades (37:23).
• Official Response: Mayor John Mitchell defends Oliveira, dismissing the allegations as baseless and promising to refer the Globe's reporting to the FBI for review (40:15):

  “None of these allegations that are in the Boston Globe had any inkling of.” (40:32)

Despite attempts to reach Oliveira, he remains silent, and authorities refrain from addressing the mounting evidence of misconduct.

Aftermath and Retaliation

Following the podcast's release, significant consequences unfold:

• Carly Medeiros' Court Testimony: Carly testifies in a special Franks Hearing, asserting her unintentional role as an informant and accusing Lucas of manipulation (30:31). Her testimony supports the narrative of systemic abuse and coercion by law enforcement.
• Miguel Martinez's Release: After nearly three years in jail, Miguel Martinez is freed as court rulings deem the evidence against him tainted (29:46).
• Chief Oliveira's Early Retirement: Two years before his contract expires, Oliveira retires, with insiders speculating that the intense scrutiny from the investigation played a role.

Mayor Mitchell publicly rebukes the Globe’s reporting, maintaining trust in Oliveira despite overwhelming evidence contradicting his integrity.

Conclusion

Episode 5 of Spotlight: Snitch City paints a grim picture of the intertwined relationships between drug informants and law enforcement in New Bedford. Through the personal stories of Carly Medeiros and Russ, combined with expert analysis and investigative prowess, the episode highlights the deep-seated issues within the informant system—issues that lead to wrongful convictions, exploitation of the vulnerable, and a lack of accountability among police officials.

As the Boston Globe continues to pursue accountability, the episode underscores the courage of those who come forward, the systemic failures that enable misconduct, and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to restore trust and integrity within the criminal justice system.

Notable Quotes

• Carly Medeiros (02:49):

  “It felt like he was secretly in love with Steven. Like it was just all about Stephen all the time.”

• Russ (12:03):

  “I was led to believe, like, you can do whatever the fuck you want...”

• Alexandra Nadopoff (19:02):

  “In the informant world, we throw all those protections out the window.”

• Mayor John Mitchell (40:32):

  “None of these allegations that are in the Boston Globe had any inkling of.”

Attributions

• Carly Medeiros: Former informant and central figure in the misconduct narrative.
• Russ: Former drug dealer and informant who cooperated with Spotlight.
• Alexandra Nadopoff: Harvard law professor and author.
• Andrew Ryan: Investigative reporter focused on search warrants.
• Paul Oliveira: Former New Bedford Police Chief implicated in informant misuse.
• John Mitchell: Mayor of New Bedford defending Oliveira.

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Spotlight: Snitch City Episode 5, providing an in-depth look at the systemic issues within the informant system and the personal stories that highlight its human cost.