Appeals court to hear Urciuoli case

BOSTON (WPRI) - A former hospital executive plans to appeal his corruption conviction Wednesday before a federal appeals court in Boston.

Robert Urciuoli , the former president and chief executive of Roger Williams Medical Center, was twice found guilty of buying the influence of ex-state Sen. John Celona.

Urciuoli was first found guilty in 2007, but a federal appeals court overturned the conviction because of flawed jury instructions. Urciuoli was convicted again at his 2008 retrial, and sentenced to three years in prison. However, he has been allowed to remain free while he pursues his appeals .

Urciuoli's lawyers plan to argue before the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the law used to convict their client is vague and unconstitutional.

Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter will be on the panel hearing Urciuoli's appeal.