He’s out of federal prison after serving nearly five years for corruption, but he can’t run for Mayor of Providence, RI again until 2012, the next election after his probation is over. So, what’s Buddy Cianci going to do? He’s heading back to his other career, as a radio talk host, going back behind the mic on Citadel’s WPRO-AM.
When we last wrote about Vincent "Buddy" Cianci (11/22/04 RBR #228) he was residing in a federal prison in New Jersey and WJAR-TV Providence reporter Jim Taricani was facing house arrest for refusing to disclose who gave him an undercover FBI videotape of a top aide to then-Mayor Cianci taking a bribe. Cianci was released from a halfway house last month and WPRO has announced that he will become part of its daily lineup beginning September 20th. The station’s opening web page declares "Buddy’s back!"
WPRO has been a second home for Cianci. He was a talk host there back in the 1980s when someone else was actually mayor for a few years before he made a political comeback. Again, in 2002, after his conviction but before he had to report to prison, Cianci again took to the airwaves at WPRO. Ex-con he may be, but he is still a colorful radio host. "Buddy Cianci has a tremendous personality and extensive knowledge of Rhose Island," Citadel Providence GM Barbara Haynes said in announcing his hiring. WPRO is now reworking its daily schedule and has not said what time slot will go to Cianci.
