The Life and Times of Vincent “Buddy” Cianci, Mayor of Providence

Rhode Islanders remember well the Buddy Cianci years when he served two separate terms as Mayor of Providence, both terms ending infamously.  In this seminar we will try to determine if Buddy was part urban visionary, a victim of the system he inherited, or merely flawed political genius, in the mold of a Huey Long, or a Michael Curley.  We’ll look at the charismatic Buddy who wanted to be your friend, and got things done, and then the other Buddy who presided over a City Hall where there was a range of corruption with people doing things they shouldn’t be doing.   We’ll ask the question, “Was Plunder Dome just one more challenge in a career full of challenges?” Get the inside dope from one of the FBI agents whose squad was responsible for the investigation “Operation Plunder Dome.”