on march 19, 2003, ganim was convicted of 16 federal counts: one count each of racketeering, extortion, racketeering conspiracy, and bribery; two counts of bribery conspiracy; eight counts of mail fraud, and two counts of filing a false tax return. ganim was acquitted on six other counts. ganim surrendered his law license upon conviction. the charges arose from ganim's "role in a six-year scheme to shake down city contractors for more than $500,000 in cash, meals, clothing, wine and home renovations." in april 2003, two weeks after being convicted, ganim resigned from office. he was replaced by councilman john m. fabrizi.