Former hospital exec asks for leniency

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A former hospital executive convicted of corruption is asking a federal judge in Rhode Island for leniency.

Robert Urciuoli, the former president and chief executive of Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, says in new court papers that his career and reputation have already been ruined by his corruption conviction.

His lawyers say Urciuoli would be a better citizen by returning to the community rather than going to prison.

Urciuoli was convicted last year of buying the influence of former state Sen. John Celona. Celona was sentenced in 2007 to two years and six months on federal fraud charges.

Urciuoli's lawyers say it would be unjust for their client to get a harsher prison term.  Read the court documents here.