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« 3rd suspect in gang murder arraigned / Photo | Today | Celona prosecutor: 14 more criminal cases possible » January 31, 2007Update: Celona gets 2 1/2 years in prison / Photo
PROVIDENCE -- Former state Sen. John A. Celona, once one of the most powerful lawmakers at the Rhode Island State House, was sentenced to 30 months in prison today for selling his office for personal gain. Celona, a North Providence Democrat who had served as chairman of the powerful Senate Corporations Committee, two years ago admitted selling his office to Roger Williams Medical Center, the drugstore chain CVS and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island. He gained $319,000 He pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud in August 2005. This morning in U.S. District Court, Celona was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for each of the three counts, but they are to be served concurrently. He was ordered into federal custody March 2. Celona's cooperation with investigators has already led to the indictments this month of two former CVS executives and the convictions in October of two former executives for Roger Williams Medical Center. An emotional Celona spoke for six minutes, telling Senior U.S. District Judge Ernest C. Torres, that he will continue cooperating. “I would like to express my remorse, apologize and take full responsibility for my past actions. I am truly sorry,” Celona said. “I am in some ways glad all of this has happened.” That’s because, Celona said, in the past three years he has become “a better husband, better father and in some respects just a regular person living in the real world.” “I was living in a superficial world in the State House,” he said. At that moment, through tears and with his voice cracking, Celona professed his faith in Jesus Christ. The last three years have affirmed that “family and honor are the most important aspects of life, not power, not politics, not glory,” he said. -- With reports from projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples Judge Torres told Celona, “I have a feeling that you are genuinely remorseful for what you’ve done." Referring to future prosecutions, he said, “You’ve testified and apparently will be testifying in future cases.” Torres spoke of the culture of corruption and said he hopes this sentence will send a message to other office-holders. “The message doesn’t seem to have sunk in,” he said, referring to other cases in Rhode Island. “I hope, but I’m not sure I can say I’m optimistic, that what’s happened in this case” will deter further corruption, Torres said. Celona must also serve two years of supervised release. As conditions of that supervised release, he must commit to eight hours of community service each week for two years. He also must pay the cost of the supervised release, the cost of which is $3,450. During this morning's sentencing in U.S. District Court, a prosecutor said that Celona's cooperation in an ongoing investigation could lead to 14 more criminal cases, involving seven politicians and seven corporations. The federal government’s lead prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan, characterized the information Celona has provided to federal prosecutors as unparalleled. Sullivan said there’s a possibility of 14 more cases, which include seven politicians and seven corporations. He didn’t go into any details about who or what is involved. Sullivan said it’s not clear how many prosecutions will come from those 14 separate investigations. Posted by Kate Bramson CommentsPost a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006