Rhode Island.

The top adviser to former Pawtucket, R.I., Mayor Brian J. Sarault was sentenced last week to serve more than four years in a federal prison for running a crime ring out of the mayor's office.

Paul J. Savoie, the mayor's chief adviser, pleaded guilty to two counts of racketeering and accepting bribes. He becomes the fifth member of Mr. Sarault's administration to be convicted, joining Mr. Sarault; Louis Simon, a former director of public works; Lou Martin, the mayor's former campaign finance chairman; and Robert Force, a former police captain.

The charges against the administration were made public in June 1991, but Mr. Sarault refused to step down until October, according to Peter Kerwin, Pawtucket's community and government affairs liaison.

In addition to the five convicted officials, four vendors have been sent to jail for illegal enticements of public officials, Mr. Kerwin said.

At sentencing, U.S. District Chief Judge Francis J. Boyle called Mr. Savoie a "captain" of a crime ring. Mr. Savoie said he was a dedicated public servant "led astray by the mayor."

The judge ordered Mr. Savoie to repay the city more than $93,000, the estimated amount he received illegally. Mr. Savoie said he received less than $15,000.

Mr. Kerwin said the entire ordeal will cost Pawtucket, a city of more than 75,000, "several hundred thousand dollars."

"We are still trying to find over $60,000 that the mayor received," Mr. Kerwin said. "More importantly though, is that the entire mayor's office and the city as a whole have been given a black eye by these men."

Mr. Sarault was sentenced to more than five years at a federal prison camp in Bradford, Pa.

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