Blow to Cicilline early release bid

BOSTON (WPRI) - Disgraced Providence attorney John M. Cicilline has lost the first round in his bid for an early release from prison.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Collings recommended Cicilline’s request for an early release to a halfway house get tossed because the government has “virtually unlimited discretion” to determine when an inmate can get transferred.

• Read the judge's recommendation

Last week Cicilline’s father and famed Rhode Island attorney John F. Cicilline argued his son was close to losing his home and was dealing with “unusual family needs.”

But Collings sided with the government. The case is now in the hands of U.S. Judge Joseph Tauro who will issue a final decision.

John M. Cicilline, 52, was sentenced last year to serve 18 months at Fort Devens federal prison in Massachusetts for shaking down two drug dealing clients. Cicilline, at the time a well-known defense attorney, pleaded guilty to the charges and reported to prison on October 2, 2008.

Cicilline was disbarred following his conviction. He was indicted along with his former law partner Joseph Bevilacqua, Jr., after federal investigators say the pair attempted to set-up drug deals so clients could receive a lighter sentence.

Cicilline and Bevilacqua were accused of attempting to extort several hundred thousand dollars from their clients so they could then share information about the drug deals with prosecutors for leniency.

Cicilline has 10 days to object to the recommendation.