Raymond DeLeo dies at 89

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Raymond DeLeo, a central figure in a scandal that led to the resignation of then-Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci in the 1980s, has died. He was 89.

A family obituary provided by the funeral home says the lifelong Bristol resident died at Rhode Island Hospital on Feb. 5 after a brief illness.

DeLeo founded and ran his own contracting business, Raymond Construction Co., and was active in Republican politics.

Cianci was forced from office in 1984 after pleading guilty to felony assault in an attack on DeLeo, who Cianci believed was his estranged wife's lover. Cianci was accused of using a fireplace log, a lit cigarette and an ashtray.

A funeral Mass for DeLeo is scheduled for March 23 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Bristol.