Former lawmaker seeks reduced sentence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A former Rhode Island legislator imprisoned for corruption has asked a federal judge to shorten his sentence.

Gerard Martineau, the one-time House majority leader, is serving a 37-month prison sentence for using his legislative position to benefit the CVS pharmacy chain and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. He had business relationships with both companies.

Martineau, a Woonsocket Democrat, expects to be released in May 2010. In court papers last week, he asked for a reduced sentence. He cited an opinion from a Superior Court judge last fall that said state lawmakers can’t be prosecuted for their votes under the Rhode Island constitution.

Prosecutors haven’t yet responded to Martineau’s request.