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(Photo: AP)
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Vincent "Buddy" Cianci, Jr. served as mayor of Providence, R.I., from 1974-1984, and again from 1991-2002.
Cianci became the most popular politician in the state because of his extensive revitalization projects in Providence. He built up the downtown area and was frequently credited for elevating the city's status, but suspicions of Mob ties, kickbacks and patronage of public works contracts dogged him.
Before those charges could escalate, Cianci got into a different sort of trouble. In 1984, he was forced from his office after pleading no contest to assaulting a man with an ashtray, lit cigarette and fireplace log. Cianci suspected that the man had been having an affair with his wife, and the mayor received a five-year suspended sentence.
Cianci remained in Providence and spent the next six years as a highly rated radio talk show host. His popularity grew again, and in 1991, he was reelected mayor.
After his return to office, an FBI probe turned up widespread charges of racketeering, conspiracy and extortion, and Cianci was finally indicted on 12 federal counts. The FBI essentially said that Cianci was running a criminal operation out of City Hall, and they named their investigation "Operation Plunder Dome."
Cianci was convicted on two counts, and sentenced to five years in jail. He resigned as mayor of Providence in September 2002.
Cianci's approval rating never dipped below 60 percent, even while he was under indictment. Much of Providence's Italian population thought he was being targeted because of his ethnicity.
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