Former Providence, Rhode Island, Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci was convicted of corruption in the summer of 2002. He was mayor of Providence for parts of four decades before he was sentenced to five years and four months in prison as part of an FBI investigation into corruption at City Hall. Speaking in court before his sentencing, Cianci maintained his innocence, said he loved the city that he had dedicated himself to and had never meant to do anything wrong. Before announcing the sentence, U.S. District Judge Ernest Torres said this is "a sad day for Providence." He said Cianci had "rare vision and boundless energy" and had "played a great role in the renaissance of the city." A federal appeals court later vacated the prison sentence and ordered that he be resentenced.