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Friday, January 5, 2007
By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
Former House speaker Thomas M. Finneran will avoid prison time by pleading guilty today to obstruction of justice in exchange for federal prosecutors' dropping perjury charges against him, according to an agreement unsealed this morning.
Federal prosecutors and lawyers for Finneran will both recommend at an 11:30 a.m. court appearance that the once-powerful figure on Beacon Hill receive 18 months of unsupervised probation and a $25,000 fine.
In return, Finneran has agreed not to run for any elected political position in state, federal or municipal government for five years after his sentencing date. The US Attorney's office also agreed to dismiss three counts of perjury against Finneran.
Finneran will plead guilty to one count of obstruction of justice, which alleges that on Nov. 14, 2003, he made misleading and false statements under oath in US District Court, according to the agreement.
The seven-page document, signed by Finneran on Jan. 3, says "Defendant expressly and unequivocally admits that he committed the crime so charged in the indictment, and that he is in fact guilty of the offense so charged in the indictment."
The agreement is nonbinding, meaning that US District Judge Richard G. Stearns doesn't have to impose the sentence recommended by the two sides. However, Finneran can not withdraw his plea once it's made, even if the judge decides to impose a harsher sentence.
Finneran faced 16 to 21 months in prison if he was convicted on all counts stemming from the long legal battle over charges that he misrepresented his role in the creation of a legislative redistricting map that diluted the clout of minority voters.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan has scheduled a news conference at 1 p.m. today to discuss the plea deal.
Posted by the Boston Globe City & Region Desk at 10:22 AM
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