Nation digest 06/25/02

Rhode Island mayor convicted of corruption

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci Jr. was convicted Monday of turning city hall into a den of thieves at the same time the popular and irrepressible politician was overseeing a renaissance in Rhode Island's biggest city.

Cianci, 61, was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy as the jury concluded that he and two co-defendants participated in a scheme to solicit bribes in exchange for city jobs, contracts and tax breaks. But he was acquitted of racketeering and 10 other federal counts that accused him of actually taking bribes and extorting money.

The mayor could get up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. No sentencing date was set.

Cianci is credited with rejuvenating Providence with new parks, a $460 million shopping mall and more than $300 million in transportation improvements.

Moussaoui seeks aid of lawyer from Texas

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Preparing his own defense, Zacarias Moussaoui wants a Muslim lawyer from Texas to help him question a government witness familiar with the origins of the Sept. 11 hijackers, according to court papers.

Moussaoui, who won permission from U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema this month to act as his own lawyer, asked the court to allow Charles Freeman to help him question the witness and to participate Tuesday in his second arraignment on the Sept. 11 charges.

Moussaoui filed the request Monday morning. The government opposed it, arguing that Freeman should not be allowed to meet with Moussaoui until he formally enters the case by filing notice with the court. Prosecutors said Moussaoui has filed two motions "which were apparently written with the assistance of Mr. Freeman."

Brinkema later sided with the government, ruling that Freeman cannot participate further until he files the appropriate paperwork.

Parents accused of chaining girl to bed

FULLERTON, Calif. -- The parents of a 21-year-old woman allegedly chained their daughter spread-eagle to her bed to stop from going out with a married man.

David Mata, 53, and his wife, Guadalupe, 51, were arrested at their apartment Sunday and booked for investigation of false imprisonment, assault and battery, and making criminal threats. Bail was set at $25,000.

A police officer found Giovana Mata on the bed with each arm and leg chained to a bedpost.

The couple told police they used 30-pound chains and two large gate locks to keep her from seeing her boyfriend, Lt. Danny Becerra said.

Laid-off Enron workers to get more severance pay

NEW YORK -- A bankruptcy judge on Monday approved a settlement granting laid-off Enron employees $29 million in severance, double the amount already paid to the 4,200 former workers.

The ruling followed several months of negotiations. The former employees had sought an additional $68 million, or a maximum of $30,000 per employee, while Enron claimed its severance policy legally terminated the day it filed for bankruptcy. Had severance been paid in full under the policy, lawyers estimate it would have amounted to nearly $150 million.

Under terms approved by the judge, the laid-off workers can still opt out of the settlement and sue the firm on their own.

The employees have already received severance totaling $29 million, or $5,678 each. They will now be paid up to $13,500 each, depending on their salary, years of employment and other factors.

-- From wire reports