Federal judge denies ex-North Providence solicitor Ciresi a new
trial  Thumbnail image for ciresi-125.jpg Journal file photo
PROVIDENCE -- A federal judge is refusing to grant former North
Providence town solicitor Robert Ciresi a new trial.  U.S.
District Chief Judge Mary Lisi rejected Ciresi's motion for a
new trial based on "newly discovered evidence," namely the
government's contention that his co-conspirator John Zambarano
was a liar.  Lisi found that there was nothing to indicate the
existence of any new evidence and that Zambarano's credibility
was a matter of record throughout the case. He had been charged
with making false statements.  Ciresi was convicted in 2011 on
bribery, extortion, and conspiracy charges related to a scheme
to purchase the votes of North Providence town councilmen:
Zambarano, Raymond Douglas, and Joseph Burchfield.  Douglas,
Zambarano, Burchfield and another middleman, Edward Imondi,
pleaded guilty to their crimes.  A federal appeals court
affirmed Ciresi's conviction.