Counts Dropped Against Providence Mayor
RHODE ISLAND
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A federal judge acquitted Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci Jr. on five of 17 corruption charges but left intact more serious allegations that he headed a criminal empire run out of City Hall.
U.S. District Judge Ernest Torres, ruling in mid-trial, said prosecutors failed to prove Cianci extorted bribes from tow truck operators or urged a witness to lie to the FBI. Cianci still faces some key charges, including two counts of racketeering.
The judge also acquitted former top mayoral aide Frank Corrente of taking bribes and urging an official to lie to the FBI. Edward Voccola, a convicted felon and businessman, had both federal racketeering charges against him dismissed.
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