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September 12, 2006

Urciuoli's former secretary testifies

PROVIDENCE -- The secretary to former Roger Williams Medical Center president Robert A. Urciuoli was the first person to testify this morning at the trial of Urciuoli and two others in U.S. District Court.

Sheila Capobianco testified about setting up a series of meetings in 1997 regarding the hiring of Celona and getting a state Ethics Commission opinion on whether it was appropriate to hire the longtime state senator.

Urciuoli, former president of the medical center; Frances P. Driscoll, a former vice president; and Peter J. Sangermano, a former associate, are accused of stealing the honest services of Celona, a longtime state senator from North Providence.

Capobianco recalled Urciuoli saying Celona was being hired for his strong ties to the community, but she said Driscoll didn't seem comfortable with the hiring.

After Celona was hired, the state senator offered to help set up a meeting with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island when Blue Cross president Ron Battista wasn't returning Urciuoli's calls, Capobianco testified.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Mike Stanton.

Posted by Jack Perry  at 11:39 AM | Permalink

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