R.I. hospital chief found guilty of fraud

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A former Rhode Island hospital executive was convicted Monday on mail fraud and conspiracy charges in a political influence peddling scandal, prosecutors say.

A jury found Robert Urciuoli, former CEO of Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, R.I., guilty of bribing former state Sen. John Celona to kill state legislation deemed harmful to Roger Williams and to advance legislation that Urciuoli thought would help the hospital, The Providence (R.I.) Journal reported.

Former Roger Williams Vice President Frances Driscoll was acquitted of the one count against her.

The verdicts came at the end of what was a retrial for both Urciuoli and Driscoll. The Journal said both were convicted in their original 2006 trials, but the convictions were overturned on appeal. Celona testified at the first trial, but did not at the retrial.

Urciuoli's attorney contended there was nothing illegal in the relationship and that Celona, who allegedly was paid between $700 and $1,000 per week, had exaggerated his claims. The former legislator is serving a 30-month prison sentence on federal fraud charges, the newspaper said.