A judge has ordered Rhode Island to pay a disgraced former governor's son-in-law for painting the ex-official's portrait.

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David Murray had to wait 10 years for the money. He is to receive $12,734.46, which includes accumulated interest on his $6,000 fee, the Providence Journal reported.

Gov. Edward DiPrete, who served from 1985 to 1990, later served 11 months after pleading guilty to taking kickbacks. His successor refused to attend the unveiling of his portrait and the secretary of state refused to pay the artist, saying DiPrete should not have hired a relative -- even though Murray's fee was far lower than those paid for other governors' portraits.

The portrait was stuck in a basement storage room where Building Superintendent Sam DiVincenzo rescued it and hung it with portraits of other former governors.

"I think the court made the right decision," DiVincenzo told the Journal. "He deserved the money. It was a nice portrait."