Conviction stands for Cianci

''The evidence shows that the defendants, and ultimately Cianci, were the beneficiaries of most if not all of the . . . schemes," Justice Norman Stahl said, writing for the majority.

''The jury could have concluded that the schemes were designed to line Cianci's pockets as well as to maintain his political power in the City."

In the dissenting opinion, Justice Jeffrey H. Howard said he didn't think the government had proved the racketeering case against Cianci and his two codefendants.

Cianci was acquitted of more than a dozen other corruption charges -- including bribery and extortion -- following a sensational seven-week trial in federal court that brought an end to one of the most celebrated and controversial reigns in contemporary American politics.

Widely credited as the architect of Providence's resurgence from a decaying industrial city to a haven for the arts, the charismatic Cianci, 63, was cast by prosecutors as the head of an administration that was infested with corruption at all levels.

The FBI's investigation, code-named ''Operation Plunder Dome," relied heavily on corrupt former city officials who agreed to cooperate with the government to avoid prison terms.

The government's star witness was an air-conditioning contractor who posed undercover as a corrupt businessman to ensnare some of Cianci's closest aides.

That informant, Antonio Freitas, carried a hidden video camera in his briefcase and captured Cianci's top aide, Frank Corrente, taking a $1,000 cash bribe.

Corrente was convicted of seven counts, including racketeering, in the same trial as Cianci.

Richard Autiello, a politically connected tow truck operator, was also convicted.

The convictions of Autiello and Corrente were upheld yesterday by the 1st Circuit.

Cianci's attorney, John MacFadyen, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.