Embattled state senator faces corruption charges
(FBI surveillance photograph)
State Senator Dianne Wilkerson allegedly stuffed a $1,000 cash payoff into her bra during a meeting with an informant at No. 9 Park restaurant on June 18, 2007.
By John R. Ellement, Donovan Slack, Shelley Murphy, Maria Cramer, and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
State Senator Dianne Wilkerson, a one-time rising star in state politics who has been plagued with legal troubles during her 15-year legislative career, appeared today in federal court to face charges that she allegedly accepted eight bribes worth $23,500.
The Democratic lawmaker, arrested this morning after an 18-month undercover investigation by Boston Police and the FBI, allegedly accepted cash payoffs that ranged from $500 to $10,000 to help a nightclub secure a liquor license and to assist a private developer who wanted to build on state land.
Wilkerson allegedly tried to influence legislation in the state Senate as recently as last week to help the developer in the Crosstown section of Roxbury, near the intersection of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue.
Wilkerson made an initial appearance this afternoon before US Magistrate Judge Timothy S. Hillman. Prosecutors did not ask for bail; she was released on $50,000 unsecured bond. But prosecutors did ask that Hillman order her not to destroy any documents that may relate to the case.
"There is substantial concern on the part of the government that records will be -- quote -- 'lost,'" said Assistant US Attorney John S. McNeil said, noting her past federal and state legal troubles. "She has a long history of acting as if she was above the law."
Max D. Stern, Wilkerson's defense attorney, pushed back, telling Hillman his client had never been convicted of destroying records. "It's an occasion to engage in character assassination," he said. "There is no evidence whatsoever that she ever destroyed documents."
Hillman ordered Wilkerson for now not to destroy personal, campaign, or professional records.
About a dozen of Wilkerson's supporters, including a local minister and Wilkerson's campaign manager, Boyce Slayman, attended the hearing. Wilkerson, who walked into the courtroom without handcuffs, wearing a maroon blouse and dark pants, said nothing but appeared calm and composed during the proceeding.
Hillman slated another hearing for Nov. 17 at the federal court in Worcester. "Good luck, Ms. Wilkerson," he said to her as the hearing concluded. Wilkerson, escorted by family members and supporters, later pushed through a small knot of reporters as she exited a side door of the courthouse and got into a black SUV with New York plates.
"As every defendant, Sen. Dianne Wilkerson is entitled to the presumption of innocence," Stern told reporters after the hearing. ""Despite the pictures that the US Attorney has chosen to show just one week before the election ... there is a context to every one of the interactions you have been told about. There is something that happens before. There is something that happens after that has not been included in what you've been shown. You will learn that when there is a trial.''
The bribery probe included one cooperating witness and three undercover FBI agents. Investigators made audio and video recordings and took still photographs of Wilkerson allegedly accepting cash payoffs starting in June 2007 and continuing through this month.One series of photographs displayed by federal authorities at a news conference this morning showed Wilkerson allegedly stuffing a $1,000 payoff into her bra during a meeting with an informant at No. 9 Park restaurant that was surreptitiously recorded with audio and video. The 10 $100 bills were not in an envelope and were clearly visible in the photograph dated June 18, 2007.
According to a 32-page affidavit filed in the case, Wilkerson abrought along a grandchild when she accepted a $1,000 bribe on Aug. 31, 2007, at the Fill-A-Buster restaurant, which is directly across the street from the State House.
Wilkerson also allegedly sought money to help finance her write-in campaign for Senate from the undercover agent who was posing as a developer. The agent gave her a $10,000 payment on Oct. 2 at Ali's, a takeout place across from her district office on Tremont Street.
"Public service is a privilege. Voters and taxpayers expect that elected officials will do what is right for their constituents, not what is financially best for themselves," US Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said at the news conference. "Citizens place extraordinary trust in those it gives the greatest authority. And with that authority comes the obligation to act with fairness and honesty."
Wilkerson faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted on the charges of attempted extortion and theft of honest services, with more potential charges pending.
Wilkerson has represented Roxbury since first winning election in 1992, but lost the Democratic primary to Sonia Chang-Diaz last month. Wilkerson has been mounting a write-in campaign to retain her seat.
In her early years at the State House, Wilkerson, a lawyer who is the first black woman elected to the state Senate, was seen as a rising star who might even have a shot at Congress. But she has gotten entangled in a series of legal scrapes.
She is currently facing the loss of her license to practice law. The Board of Bar Overseers has alleged that she lied under oath at a 2005 Suffolk Superior Court hearing in a murder case, an allegation she has denied.
This summer, Wilkerson agreed to pay a $10,000 fine to the state attorney general's office and acknowledged campaign finance violations dating back to 2000. The violations related to improper reimbursements of campaign contributions to herself and failing to report some contributions.
In 1998, the Roxbury lawmaker settled another campaign finance violation case. And that same year she served 30 days in a halfway house for violating the terms of a six-month home confinement sentence for failing to pay $50,000 in federal income taxes.
The bribery investigation was sparked by a civilian who contacted the Boston Police's anticorruption unit to say that Wilkerson was essentially offering to sell her office.
"In early 2007, an individual who later became a cooperating witness ("CW") informed the FBI that Wilkerson routinely took cash payments from constituents and others having business before the Senate," the affidavit said. "The CW also told the FBI that he was present for two cash payments made to Wilkerson in connection with the operation of a nightclub in Wilkerson's district in Roxbury, Massachusetts."
At the press conference this morning, Sullivan was asked about the timing of Wilkerson's arrest, shortly before an election in which she is fighting for her political life.
"It's coincidental that this happened one week before the election," Sullivan said. Authorities needed to let the covert portion of the investigation run its course to make sure no other lawmakers were implicated.
"There is no evidence that she shared her cash with anyone else," Sullivan said, adding that other Beacon Hill lawmakers are not implicated.
The charges, which were unsealed this morning, contend that Wilkerson accepted the bribes in exchange for, among other things, helping the Roxbury nightclub Deja Vu get a liquor license.
After accepting an initial $500 bribe on June 5, 2007, Wilkerson allegedly telephoned Mayor Thomas M. Menino on June 17, 2007, to lobby on behalf of the nightclub. Wilkerson told an informant later that day in a call that was recorded by the FBI that she had "talked to the mayor" and his office would help obtain a nontransferable license to sell beer and wine until a full liquor license "freed up."
Wilkerson's alleged conversation with the mayor was one of several examples cited in the affidavit of the state senator selling her political influence. Menino has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
"This is Senator Wilkerson claiming she had a conversation with the mayor and then relaying that information," said Dot Joyce, a spokeswoman for Menino. "There was never any intercept of the mayor's phone conversations by the FBI."
Around noon today, two unidentified men removed three black suitcases from Wilkerson’s office at the State House.
“We are just learning about this,” Senate President Therese Murray told reporters as she went to a meeting. “I’m not going to say or do anything to interfere in this law enforcement investigation.”
Murray said she would immediately remove Wilkerson as chairwoman of the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee. She will also refer the matter to the Senate’s Ethics Committee.
“I am extremely disappointed,” Murray said.
Other senators said they were shocked by the allegations.
"I’m surprised. You hate to see anybody in that position, but people in elected office are held to a higher standard," said Senator Michael Morrissey, a Quincy Democrat. “So much for her write-in campaign. That solved that problem.”
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SHOCKING!!!!!!!!!
i guess you can cancel the stickers.
You morons in MA will re-elect her on the write-in ballot - she'll fit in perfectty now with all the other low-lifes that run MA. What a disgrace of a state
Smells like entrapment
Hallelujah. This has been like getting rid of a cockroach. Let's hope Sonia is different. (Remember, Dianne originally campaigned as a "reformer".)
Shocking.
What a crook! Shame on you, Diane! May this be the end of her embarrassing political career.
500 bucks? shes even a cheap date. LOL
About time. She was a disgrace to her community!
HA HA HA HA HA....If they had room in the back of the Crown Vic that they were taking her in with, they should have stopped off to pick up DiMassi too!! Bunch of crooks.....We are assured of one thing...If your state Senator or Rep ever gains notoriety, you'd better vote for someone else. We can plainly see that all well known Beacon Hill insiders are crooked!! Go ahead start the list on this topic string....
lol $500 ...
lol $500 ...
Man o man. talk about pissing away your career.
It is about time..... She has been corrupt for years and gotten away with stuff that an ordinary citizen would be in jail for...
BWAAAHAAAAAAAAHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
About time!!!!
HA HA HA HA HA HA! It's about time this crooked politician got what's coming to her. Her arrogant and nose-snubbing attitude has been tolerated by the people of her district for FAR too long. I hope she goes to prison for a long, long time.
Wow...She is bad business...
This woman never ceases to amaze me.
HOORAY!!!!
It's about time!
Once she is convicted will it be OK to start referring to her as a "career criminal"? The jig is FINALLY up . Her district deserves better than her for a leader.
If you're suprised I'm surprised
Na Na Na Na.....Na Na Na Na...Hey Hay Hay Goodbye. ..!!
Does this put the kibosh on the write-in campaign?
What a shock...NOT.
Wow !!!! A politcian on the Take no way !!!
No surprise here. Typical Boston politician taking care of daily business!
Oh gee, I'm stunned. Diane Wilkerson breaking the law? Wow, never saw this one coming. LOL!!
Quelle surprise.
What else can we expect from a public official, who has been found guilty of past indiscretions regarding campaign financing 'irregularities'? It should be obvious that the majority of her constituents have already spoken (her recent unsuccesful relection campaign) and no longer want her to represent them. This only validates her flawed sense of propriety and holding of the public trust.
When will (all of) the voters realize that the 'me first' generation has been in power for far too long, and masive, sweeping changes in leadership are long overdue.
Now maybe people will finally realize that she has no business representing anyone in government
Now maybe people will finally realize that she has no business representing anyone in government
Screwed!!! BIG TIME!
This is exactly why I voted for Sonia.
It's about time. Now the local authorities won't be able to fix the case
About time. She is a career criminal
Nice, just another stinkin' rotten democrat who is of the same caliber as Nancy Pelosi and Co. Only difference is this one stuffs it down her bra. Go ahead people, go vote for the Messiah and get yourself a whole freakin' house full of democrats to play around with YOUR money. Have a nice life.
Nice, just another stinkin' rotten democrat who is of the same caliber as Nancy Pelosi and Co. Only difference is this one stuffs it down her bra. Go ahead people, go vote for the Messiah and get yourself a whole freakin' house full of democrats to play around with YOUR money. Have a nice life.
It was only a matter of time!
Once a crook ALWAY'S A CROOK.
Hope you can handle a 6x9 room.
Well deserved....SEE YA!
I do not understand how this woman maintained office for so long. She lied about taxes was under house arrest and now this. I am sorry to say that she is a real disappointment as a black woman leader. If these allegations are true she should lose her license as well as jail time. She is supposed to be setting an example and she really is not from where I am sitting.
It's about time. Lock her up, throw away the key.
Dishonesty aside, I find it incredable Massachusetts could have a State Senator this stupid.
She is a liar and crook. She perjured her before and now is going to have a real fun time getting out of this one. Enough of her lies.
Finally it would appear that the FBI is willing to do what none of her constituents and lackeys have ever been able to do, to see this fraud of a person for what she really is. The people of Roxbury deserve better representation than form someone who had to wear an electonic ankle bracelet to the State House.
Hey Deval Patrick, how do you feel about endorsing Senator Wilkerson now?
Classy Senator, Classy!
Type your comment here...
A crooked politician? I'm shocked! SHOCKED!
No surprise here ... we must all remember that she was Deval's and Mumble's preferred candidate.
This is hilarious, she's is such a thief.
Can Frank please be next? PLEASE get Frank out of her too.
Is it possible to get life in prison for this? I would love to see her behind bars.
How this woman has remained in office so long is a miracle. Her track record has been disgraceful, and the law is finally catching up with her. Let's see if she can lie her way out of this one.
I wouldn't be surprised if Wilkerson's arrest makes her a more attractive candidate to the Liberals of Eastern Massachusetts...she'll probably win the election now!
Only difference between Dianne Wilkerson and Nancy Pelosi is Wilkerson stuffs money in her bra. Gotta love democrats for spreadin' that wealth around!
And this news is surprising how? For years she's thumbed her nose at the rules that the rest of us play by until it got to this point where she felt she was totally above the law and invincable.
Not suprised.She'll probably try and say it wasn't her and everyone is out to get her.She has seen her luck finally run out.
It is a sad day for Massachusetts politics. Ms. Wilkerson had often been a tough advocate for those that needed it the most. I doubt she will recover from this.
Thank God! Vote yes on question #1
there will still be people who claim this is a set-up and/or a vendetta...too bad, a great talent wasted
Deval and Mumble's rallied for the crook. Nice. "Together WE CAN".
Can we get the tape with Mumbles? That will be priceless.
Well, well, well.
Looks like I voted for the right person after all.
I always new she was down and dirty
very nice! single party rule in the commonwealth has many upsides, doesn't it? no checks and balances. too bad it had to take the FBI to take her down.
Greed, greed, greed.
WHAT?!?! A Politician lying under oath AND accepting bribes? HERE??? IN MASSACHUSETTS???? Oh, look. A bird just flew by my office window.
So what else is new in Massachusetts?
This should make her write-in candidacy a layup. We have a rich history of electing our leaders from a jail cell.
She's being framed.
HA HA, THOSE DIRTY POLITAINS GET WHAT THEY DESERVE
I suspect there will be conspiracy theorists that point to the timing of this arrest. However, the voters have a right to know that this was ongoing for a year and a half (presumably based on prior intelligence or complaints) and sufficient cumulative criminal evidence to prosecute had recently been obtained. It's a sad chapter in Boston politics and hopefully this puts to rest any more questions on who is the most fit candidate to represent the Second Suffolk District. As MLK said, "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
um.. wow. This is the end. A call to the Mayor?? Is this going to take him down too?
When will her supporters finally give up and stop defending her!??!? This woman is just a simple criminal, from the lying under oath to the tax evasion and all her other transgressions. Is she really going to waste taxpayer's money by not backing out of this election?
didn't see that coming
Must have been the Racist FBI going after this innocent women. Talk about getting kicked while you are down. She just cannot catch a break. The white society still keeping her down!!!!
Finally this thug's actions have caught up with her!
Her chickens have come home to roost.
Is this three strikes. How many will she take down with her.
It's funny, you have to read half the article to find out if she was a democrat. Obviously everyone knows, but if she was a republican our liberal media would have not only added in the first sentence "Republican State Senator Dianne Wilkerson was arrested earlier this...." they would have added in the headline as well on the webpage...
Ridiculous! The older I get and the more engaged I become in politics, the more I find myself horrified by our elected officials. Whatever happened to character traits like honesty, accountability, and integrity? My cynicism is at an all-time high right now. I have zero confidence in the people running the commonwealth. Somebody get me off the ledge!!
Strange, not one word in this article that she is a democrat?! Oooops, is that racist now as well? For a lawyer this dame is quite a number!
We all make mistakes, we all have done things we are not so PROUD of, BUT we the people, hold our elected offficials to a HIGHER standard, and are enormously disapointed when they fall short of the standards WE want them to uphold.
Couldn't happen to a nicer person. This also explains why she fought so hard for Columbus Center in spite of her constituency's opposition to it.
...and the Mayor just automatically does what Wilkerson asked him to do?
something fishy here.
I blame the Boston City Council.
Do these new revelations surprise anyone??? Just more of the same from a woman who feels so privileged that she's above the law. I'm wondering if this news will increase her voter turn-out due to her keen ability to turn such events into a conspiracy against her. After all, isn't Dianne always the victim?!?
Hopefully this arrest will highlight to her supporters that she has disqualified herself from representing residents of Boston in the Senate. Of course she has yet to be proven guilty, but this is one in a long line of serious missteps that have marked Sen. Wilkerson's career. Although she is a strong adocate for the interests of her constituents, she lacks credibility amongst her peers and her focus will shift from her job to staying out of prison. Her attempt to push a write-in campaign is a desperate act and should not be rewarded. Just because she has now disqualified herself from attainging gainful employment in the private sector does not mean that voters should keep her in office. Congratulations and good luck to her successor, Sonia Chang-Diaz. Our community needs you.
It about time this piece of dirt gets what she deserves. How many more like her are out there scamming the taxpayers of this state? A great reason to vote YES on Question 1 is to show the Lords and Ladies of Beacon Hill that the citizens of this state have had enough of their mismanagement of our tax dollars and their abuse of the powers they've been entrusted with. Let my property taxes go up, at least I'll be paying the money to the town where I live where I'll benefit directly from what I pay rather than to the state where my $$$$ will be wasted and misused by scum like Wilkerson!!!!
Type your comment here...
I bet Gov. Patrick and Mayor Menino wish they could take back their phone endorsements of her during the primary.
about time
she'll use her usual race excuse
Yahoo!
Sad, sad ,sad...now let's wait for all the allegations of racism and victimization to come forth....
She's always been a scumbag loser..... It's pathetic she's been elected this many times!
wow huh? so much corruption in the Senate!! first Alaska now us? Can't wait till Barack is in charge to take care of this, its ridiculous. And she's lobbying to retain her seat hahahahah good luck with that now hunny you should have taken the money and stepped down at least then you would have had some dignity
This is what happens when one party controls all political offices and machinery in the state; when will MA wake up?
it just doesn't get any better than this!
What is wrong with accepting bribe for service? Isn't this what we exspect and pray for in our politicians. Remember it is God we trust, all others must pay cash
When does she start playing the THERE OUT TO GET ME CARD. My only question is what took so long
what a talent? more like what a trainwreck.
More evidence that we MUST vote yes on question one.
Send a message that enough is enough!!!!!!!
Aren't there any one of these people who are not corrupt or child molesters??
Ernie-
While I agree MA elects morons - she was voted out so maybe, just maybe, the good people of MA are waking up.
Next one out should be Barney Frank.
She will definitely get re-elected now. There is no doubt in my mind that this was motivated by race and she is being picked on. Ernie you are correct, MA is the pit of the country. However, the advantage of living here is when Barry Hussein Obama takes over it will not be that much of a shock.
I wonder if it is time to move to Mexico
Hey Ernie, why don't you relax and stop taking your angry pills. Ms. Wilkerson is the moron of this story. And maybe you as well.
This is really funny. Where are all of the lefty dumb witted responses to this one?
I am truly scared about next Tuesday.
Puckk:
Racist FBI? Yeah, the same FBI that broke the back of the KKK.
You gotta believe in somebody. Why live in a society where you believe the highest law enforcement agency is racist and corrupt? I wouldn't.
Hmmmmmmmm! I notice that the article does not mention that she is a black Democrat. How convenient! If she were a Republican like Ted Stevens, you would see blaring headlines for days with a (R) after her name. Anyway, it is racist and Bush's fault to pick on a poor, underprivilged black woman. Shame on you whities.
Shame on those who supported her, despite her already lengthy criminal record and ethical lapses, for no other reason than her race. But I don't suppose the racialists like Chuck Turner have it in them to be even slightly embarrassed.
Trick or Treat...the Wicked Witch is dead! Yea!!!!!!!!!!!
Expect President Obama to pardon Senator Diane Wilkerson. She never would have been forced into this behavior if the reparations for slavery had been paid out earlier.
i like her and they just set her up because men cannot stand intelligent women!!!!!!!!
Innocent before proven guilty.
yourmom?? Are you kidding me. The good people of MA Waking UP??? Do we need to review or will you make the same comments next Wed after Kerry, and Barney and all the others are back. How can you possibly use the words "Good" when it come to how people vote in the godforsaken state, a couple of substitute may be "Rigged Elections" or "Morons voting".
This does raise the question of what happens if she indeed does win her sticker campaign in two weeks. Trust me, her constituency is ignorant enough to still support her (they have until now for the most part and she's won on a sticker campaign in the past). So if they elect her again and Chang-Diaz is runner up, will she win anyway?
Gotta love the corrpupt political system in Massachusetts.
Will she claim this is racial?
yourmom?? Are you kidding me. The good people of MA Waking UP??? Do we need to review or will you make the same comments next Wed after Kerry, and Barney and all the others are back. How can you possibly use the words "Good" when it come to how people vote in the godforsaken state, a couple of substitute may be "Rigged Elections" or "Morons voting".
David,
NO. this is how the system works. Her Lying corrupt ass will be out a job, and hopefully thrown in jail. A better representative will be voted in, and her constituents will hold her accountable to what she's promised to work for.
Strangling the commonwealth and ruin our way of life for some Libertarian crusade is irresponsible and will hurt everyone. Vote no on 1, Vote in Chang-DIaz, and vote responsibly.
When the FBI gets done with her the IRS is next for not reporting that income.
It must be George Bush's fault.
Her lawyer will shop around until he finds US Judge Nancy Gertner. She will let Sen Wilkerson off with house arrest. MA politicians get away with anything no matter how corrupt.
re: Comment #2
Let me guess, Ernie, you live in the "Real America", right?
Not surprising that some comments so far mention racism. This isn't about racism - it's about a person who doesn't have any business being in public office.
This is outrageous. This is a witch hunt. She is NOT the poster child for corrupt politicians, there are many more who better fill those shoes.
Don't worry. She will get a good state job. This is resume enhancement in MA!
Wilkerson was led away in handcuffs and faces up to 40 years in prison for accepting bribes. There goes the campaign.
This lady should have never been re-elected in the past as the litany of Wilkerson's problems is long, including the convictions