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September 20, 2006

Update: Lawyer advised hiring Celona was 'bad idea'

PROVIDENCE -- A lawyer for Roger Williams Medical Center testified today that he thought it was a "bad idea" when then-hospital president Robert A. Urciuoli said he wanted to hire a state senator, John A. Celona, as a consultant.

James R. McGuirk, a partner in Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, told a federal jury this afternoon that he opposed the idea because he didn’t believe Celona, who had operated a lawn mower store, had the experience, and also because his position as a senator "presented enormous conflicts.’’

"I didn’t think it was a good idea. I thought it was a bad idea,’’ said McGuirk. "I didn’t think he brought any value.’’

Urciuoli, the former president of Roger Williams, is on trial in federal court with two other hospital executives on charges of stealing Celona's honest services as a senator. The former state senator from North Providence has pleaded guilty to selling his office to Roger Williams, CVS and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and is testifying as part of his agreement to cooperate in this case and other, ongoing investigations of State House influence peddling.

McGuirk, who described himself as a close friend of Urciuoli’s, said that he advised him of his opinion, but Urciuoli insisted, arguing that Celona would help recruit residents to the Village at Elmhurst through his extensive political network of senior citizens.

Consequently, McGuirk advised Urciuoli that Celona’s duties should be clearly spelled out in a consulting contract, and the hospital should obtain an advisory opinion from the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, defining what Celona could and could not do as a legislator regarding health-care issues.

Earlier this afternoon, Celona finally left the witness stand, stepping down after nearly six day of testimony.

-- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton

Posted by Jack Perry  at 5:14 PM | Permalink

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