RSS
Home
DiMasi indictment sends waves through Hub
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Speculation over former House Speaker Sal DiMasi's ethical violations came to a head yesterday when DiMasi and three of his colleagues were indicted on federal charges of corruption. DiMasi has become the third former Speaker to be indicted on federal charges.
Charges allege that DiMasi and his associates roped $20 million in contracts for a private software company, Cognos, into state government. The accused reportedly received kickbacks for using his influence to grant the private sector company with high level contractual work.
The news comes as a shock for DiMasi's former constituents in his home neighborhood of the North End. For years, the popular State Representative was referred to as "Our Pal Sal", and similar cordial recognition hit Beacon Hill when DiMasi was reigned in as speaker after his predecessor Thomas Finneran was indicted on similar charges. During his term, DiMasi became intensely popular, often sparring with the governor, but showing his power as one of Beacon Hill's most influential politicians.
DiMasi was overwhelmingly re-elected by his colleagues as speaker in January. Weeks later, he stepped down amid an investigation regarding his conduct. In the months since DiMasi resigned, Representative Robert DeLeo of Winthrop was elected to replace the tarnished leader as Speaker. A hotly contested race formed around his vacated seat. Last month, DiMasi's former aide, Aaron Michlewitz advanced in the primaries to fill his seat in the third Suffolk district.
A total of eight charges were filed against DiMasi, who represented his district for over thirty years in the state legislature. Should he be found guilty, he faces over twenty years in prison for each charge of wire and mail fraud. Standing in front of the Moakley courthouse, DiMasi held his wife Deborah's hand on his way out and proclaimed his innocence stating he acted in the best interests of the people of the commonwealth.
Related Articles:
Comments
