Wilkerson won't resign, despite Senate's request
(John Tlumacki/Globe Staff)
Senate President Therese Murray told reporters after the vote that Democratic Senator Dianne Wilkerson should resign today if she "values the integrity of the Senate." Wilkerson said she would not step down.
By Matt Viser, Globe Staff
The usually collegial state Senate todday shunned one of its own, unanimously passing an extraordinary resolution asking Democratic Senator Dianne Wilkerson to resign immediately following the allegations that she accepted eight bribes worth $23,500 in an FBI undercover operation.
She promptly declined, with her campaign issuing a statement tonight indicating that she has no intention of resigning and will defiantly continue her write-in campaign to save a seat she has held for 15 years.
‘‘They made their requests,’’ Boyce Slayman, her campaign manager, said in an interview. ‘‘And she respectfully declined to do it today.’’
Wilkerson later released a statement calling requests for her to resign ‘‘unreasonable.’’
‘‘Surely the members of the state Senate could not have believed that such a monumental decision would be made within a few hours,’’ she said. ‘‘A decision to leave this district without representation, even for 60 days, is one that cannot and should not be made in a matter of hours. Rest assured I am committed to do what is in the best interest of the residents of this district.’’
In the early afternoon, angry members of the Senate stripped Wilkerson of her committee chairmanship, removed her from all of her committee assignments, and began the first steps required to expel her from the chamber.
Before the vote, Wilkerson sent a diplomatic letter to Senate President Therese Murray saying, ‘‘I will respect whatever decision you make.’’
‘‘I apologize to you and the members for being drawn into the madness that has become my life,’’ Wilkerson wrote in the one-page letter on her Senate stationery.
While Wilkerson herself remained silent yesterday and declined interview requests, her Senate colleagues did anything but. And the senators who were specifically mentioned in the dramatic 32-page FBI affidavit against Wilkerson, and received grand jury subpoenas of their own this week, reacted the loudest.
Murray, whose only previous comment was a brief statement she read outside her office on Tuesday saying the charges were ‘‘serious’’ and that she ‘‘will trust the judicial process to take them seriously,’’ yesterday lashed out at Wilkerson on multiple fronts.
‘‘I think if she values the integrity of the Senate, if she values her colleagues' work, she’ll go’’ today, Murray said. ‘‘Do I look angry? Yes I am.’’
Federal agents charged Wilkerson on Tuesday with accepting the eight bribes from constituents and others with business before the state Senate. She allegedly took the $23,500 for helping to secure a liquor license and shepherding legislation that would pave the way for a towering Roxbury development.
Murray was mentioned in the affidavit as sitting in a private meeting with Wilkerson. She also received her own subpoena this week, and is prominently pointed out in subpoenas sent to other government offices, including one to the state’s technology division demanding that her emails be preserved.
Murray yesterday publicly and directly contradicted the account federal authorities outlined in an affidavit released on Tuesday. The 32-page document said that Murray was at a meeting on Aug. 16, 2007, when Wilkerson allegedly met with City Council President Maureen Feeney; Daniel Pokaski, chairman of the Boston Licensing Board; and Senator Michael Morrissey, a Quincy Democrat.
‘‘I was not at any meeting with Senator Wilkerson,’’ Murray said today as staffers attempted to usher her away. ‘‘Those are allegations.’’
When asked if there were any meetings she was a part of, she said, ‘‘No.’’
Her spokesman, David Falcone, later confirmed that she was referring to the Aug. 16, 2007, meeting referenced in the affidavit. Falcone would not say where she was that day, but said she had no events listed on her Senate office schedule. According to Senate minutes, Senator Jack Hart, a Boston Democrat, was presiding over the Senate instead of Murray.
The FBI and the US Attorney’s office would not comment on Murray’s contradiction yesterday, or provide any indication where their information came from.
Morrissey, who confirmed that he attended the meeting in the affidavit, would not say whether the Senate president was in attendance but said, ‘‘I would trust what she tells you.’’
Morrissey, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, is cochairman of the Consumer Protection Committee and is alleged to be among the politicians Wilkerson persuaded to help her secure a liquor license for a Roxbury nightclub.
Morrissey was one of several lawmakers whose records were subpoenaed in the FBI probe of Wilkerson. The subpoena, which went to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and was obtained this week by the Globe, asks for all records reflecting Morrissey’s daily activities from May 15, 2007, through June 1, 2008.
Reading a 30-second statement yesterday, Morrissey offered a vociferous defense of his role in the case.
‘‘First, I nor any members of the committee had any idea what Dianne Wilkerson was about,’’ Morrissey said. ‘‘Second, anything we did was by the book, and I’ll stand by those actions at any time.’’
He then declined to take any questions from reporters.
A source spotted Wilkerson in a car on Bowdoin Street — outside the State House near Fill-a-Buster, where she allegedly took some of the bribes — at 10:30 a.m., but she did not enter the building. The Roxbury lawmaker was not present when her colleagues took the vote asking her to resign, which occurred after a two-hour caucus behind closed doors.
In the austere Senate chambers, where Wilkerson had fought for gay marriage and social justice, her colleagues read public resolutions that went over her past transgressions in every detail, including her failure to pay income taxes and violations of campaign finance laws.
When it came time to vote to ask her to resign, nearly 40 senators let out a hearty, ‘‘Aye!’’
Because they were meeting in an informal session, it would have taken only a single senator to object.
In addition to asking Wilkerson to resign, the Senate also passed a resolution asking the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules to investigate her. If she does not resign, that investigation could lead to expelling her from the Senate. Murray said the committee would finish its work ‘‘as soon as possible,’’ but would not provide a timeline and gave no indication that it would complete the investigation by Tuesday’s election.
‘‘People in the Senate are disgusted,’’ Senator Brian Joyce, a Milton Democrat, said after the vote. ‘‘We’ve asked her to resign and begun the process to expel her. Enough’s enough.’’
‘‘There’s been a shadow cast on the entire body,’’ said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei, who said the Republicans are considering filing ethics reform legislation. ‘‘...Not only the actions that were taken by Senator Wilkerson that caused this problem but also that it’s reflected so badly on the entire Senate and the institution.’’
While Wilkerson’s seat in the Senate was the focus yesterday, underlying the circus-like scene at the State House was an ongoing federal investigation that could bring others into the picture. Subpoenas went out this week to numerous people and agencies, including Murray, Feeney, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, and WinnCompanies, a development firm owned by Arthur Winn, a longtime political benefactor of Wilkerson’s.
Aside from Wilkerson, no one has been accused of wrongdoing, but the FBI has not ruled out further investigations.
It is highly unusual for a lawmaker to be expelled from a legislative body before they have been convicted of a crime. No one has been ousted from the state Senate for corruption since the 1970s, when two members were convicted of extortion for accepting kickbacks from a construction firm building the campus of the University of Massachusetts at Boston.
Wilkerson, who was first elected in 1992, was once a rising star in the Democratic Party. But her career has been marred by numerous legal troubles. In 1997, she was convicted of willfully failing to file federal income tax returns. In 1998 and this year, she entered into disposition agreements with state officials related to campaign finance law violations. And she is currently in danger of losing her license to practice law for allegedly lying under oath at a 2005 court hearing in a homicide case.
Frank Phillips and Andrew Ryan of the Globe Staff contributed to this report. Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.
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Good for Michael, but it only takes one Senator to veto the move. Any bets?
Sal DiMasi is ten times more corrupt than Dianne Wilkerson yet he gets to keep his job... Don't get me wrong, weeding out corruption in politics is a good thing, but don't pick on one person. Go after them all...
An honest/naive set of question: Is it proper conduct to oust before trial? Not having looked into the details, is the publicly-available/seen evidence that credible and damning? I'm not supporting either side of this equation. I'm only curious of the details as it relates to due process, etc. Thanks for any honest insight on how this is handled at the congressional level.
"It is highly unusual for a lawmaker to be expelled from a legislative body before they have been convicted of a crime. "
Hmmm, She was convicted of a crime, it just happens to be a different crime. I wonder where Mr. Morrissey was after her last crime was committed. I guess that the difference is this time she was videtaped taking/stealing/embezzeling, money and lots of it. Since there was no videotape of her giving the FInger to the IRS (year after year) I guess it didn't look as bad.
This woman needs to be removed at once from any and all capacity in the legislative body. She has made a mockery of the system for decades and continues to operate in her own best interests as opossed to the interests of her constituents.
MAY move to oust her? Be serious! She has to go. And all politians put on notice that if you get caught and convicted of a crime, you not only lose your office, you lose your pensions as well. This is just simply out of control.
She will not be ousted and more than likely reelected. Why? Business as usual on Beacon Hill. Less intelligent people in her district I am sure are so mistrustful of the establishment that even with flagrant photographic evidence they refuse to believe it. I have lost all faith in the legislature to do the right thing, ever. Vote yes on question 1 take some of your hard earned money back from these hacks.
Shocked, I am shocked that a member of the Mass Legislature is suspected of wrong doing. Please provide a cell large enough to hold Terese and DiMasi too. Can't wait for Wilkerson's book.
Anybody still wondering on how to vote question 1 ?? Starve the beast.. PLEASE no more state income tax for these bastards to steal.!!
If we believe in the due process of law, it would only seem fair to allow her to first go to trial before the Senate takes any action against her. Hold your Horses Morrissey.
Guility or not, there is a process.
another one bites the dust:
Wilkerson walks warily down the street
With his brim pulled way down low
Ain't no sound but the sound of his feet
Machine guns ready to go
Are you ready hey are you ready for this?
Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat yeah
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey I'm gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust
Wilkerson.....don't go away mad, just go away.
Oust her!
is she getting a pension?? might as well. why be different than the other self service ego maniacs.
The electorate needs to 'meet in caucus' next Tuesday and EXPEL ALL OF THESE LAYABOUTS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE by voting YES ON QUESTION 1. Shut down Beacon Hill.
Perfect reason to vote against the Income Tax in question 1! This is what happens with our hard-earned taxpayer money.
So, Morrissey is making a preemptive strike. What's he afraid of?
Tittygate!
Menino is shocked??? The only one. Isn't it about time she bow out.....gracefully.
Hmmm, we all know it looks very bad, but it seems that Mr. Morrisey's rush to judgment and motion to have her removed is a bit premature. Everyone is presumed innocent until....
One also wonders about Mr. Morrisey's motivations in light of him receiving a subpoena also. There may be nothing in it, but he needs to maintain a level of professionalism above the fray. Kind of surprised by his actions, but it could be related to his level of involvement and personal feelings.
Ms. Wilkerson is the best person to make the immediate decision concerning her political career, but given her history of past decisions her judgment may not be the best. The voters are going to weigh in next Tuesday and this may answer some questions. In the end there is plenty of time to have her removed from the State Senate. Her responsibilites have been greatly reduced and her ability to do further harm will mostly affect herself and the people she represents.
oh, this is just priceless. Morrissey is in it up to his neck as is Turner -- and Murray obviously had her hand out as well.
Looks like a good old fashioned house cleaning is going to happen in City Hall and on Ben Fraklin Hill. Can't wait till Diane decides to cooperate -- the fun will really start then.
out with all incumbents
the arrogance of this woman is unreal,she has brought shame to herself,her district and the commonwealth,and yet she feels compelled to continue to run for reelection.hopefully her indictment will not be the first,are you watching barney?
wow - all that tax free income coming in and she STILL could not pay her taxes and condo fees - remarkable.
The timing is purely political! Now if she is actually guilty of these alleged crimes, is up to the media. The media has the power of persuasion, and it looks like as far as they are concerned the verdict is in. She's guilty!!! I've been a long time supporter of Senator Diane Wilkerson, and I will be highly upset, and disapointed if she actually guilty.
Vote against the INCOME TAX on Question 1!!!!! Do yourself and this state a favor.....This will be a VOTE against corruption and pork belly projects in the Massachusetts State Budgets....
The teacher union's pensions have been draining this state for years...Its time to take away these golden parachutes.
Voting NO on Question 1 "MAY' force these @ssClowns to actually remove some pork from the budgets and re-evaluate these ridiculous pensions(compared to working for Public company).
Wonder if she needs any help cleaning out her office?
Do you people realize if you vote yes on question 1 you will lose funding for POLICE OFFICERS, FIRE FIGHTERS, TEACHERS, LIBRARIES etc....don't use DW as an excuse there.
Karma's a bitch ain't it Dianne!
I thought we were in America and not in "out of control country". You have due process, innocent before proven guilty. Most folks have the "tar and feathers" out already. Plus who is the informant with the hidden camera and who gave that person the money to give to her. This goes up higher than we think. Look at the ones who are yelling get her out of office. What is in their closet?
Saying Yes to question 1 is not the answer. Term limits are the answer. 3 terms and see you later! That's what the next ballot question should be. Sorry to the honest politicians, believe it or not they do exist, but term limits will keep everyone more honest!
Karma
aren't police officers, fire fighters, teachers and libriaries paid for but property taxes and a very little bit of ch 70 and 90 money from the state? I am not saying Q1 is a good idea - just that it does not hit cops, firemen, teachers and libraries.
Hey #25! Teachers are taking "Golden Parachutes"? You've gotta be kidding. Teachers hold the keys to the future! Even the well paid ones out in Weston aren't getting rich. You're a fool!
So Wilkerson is stripped of her chair and asked to resign. Why haven't they done this with Marzilli?
15 years in office does not make you the underdog. If you vote for scum you get the representation you deserve.
Guilty or not, this is about the "appearance of impropriety" as an elected official. Obviously there are other politicians committing the same infractions but they're not the ones who were arrested on Tuesday for abusing their power...In a perfect world, this could be the beginning of a major house-cleaning on Beacon Hill (who's to say Wilkerson's the only one under investigation - we only nobody else is being charged for actions specifically related to this case "at this time") or at least discourage this bad behavior for fear of being caught...then again, it's more likely to result in more intensified discretion, backdoor meetings and other shady practices. Before we know it, some of these guys (and ladies) will be scanning for bugs and wiretaps before they'll take a meeting.
It's a shame...
Put her in a cage and wheel her through streets so we can poke her with sharpened sticks!
ConcernedaboutCorruptioninMA:
I think you mean to say to vote YES on question 1. Voting NO will leave things the way they are, voting YES will do away with the state income tax, which is what I think you want to do, if I understand you correctly.
Give me a break! If she is not guilty I will eat my shorts! In addition politicians who break the law should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
she and all involved should ALSO resign.....they're ALL dirty in this situation...
Wilkerson and anyone on her staff; Mayor Thomas M. Menino; Councilor Chuck Turner; Eddie Jenkins Jr., chairman of the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission; Daniel Pokaski, chairman of the Boston Licensing Board; Senator Anthony Petruccelli, an East Boston Democrat; former councilor at large Felix Arroyo; developer Arthur Winn; and Stephen V. Miller, a lawyer who frequently appears before the Boston Licensing Board.
People who gripe about teacher's pensions are an embarrassment to our educational system! As for Dianne, what's the senate going to do if she wins the election on Tuesday? I guess they can still oust her in January. What a fiasco.
My bet is she gets to keep her pension. Why should bribery charges keep her from stealing more money from the taxpayer??? The Senate is "ASKING'" her to resign??? Does anyone in that so called "August" body have a clue????!!! She should not be given an option. She should take Sal with her.
Wilkerson is the epitome of the mistrust and disgust the public has in politicians. Her actions are deplorable and I cannot believe she has the audacity to remain in the "re-election fight". No matter how you cut it she is a thief who should not only be ousted from her position (forget resigning) but, should do some heavy jail time. Is it her and her alone? Absolutely not!! Hopefully, she will realize that she is a greedy moron and at the very least turn over evidence on the other politicians who are acting in such an unforgivable manner. .
She is not guitly until she is proved in the legal system. Yes, they may had a 18 months of investigations and the right time to catch the fish is around the time for her election. Yes, evidence may play a role to some form of her greed and she done it because she followed the "Monkey see and Money get too" The country has alot to pay for. I guess her expression read loud and clear. I get what I want and I know how to get it. The SBW needs a rest. SBW -Let God fight your battle.
The Globe is wrong about the number of expulsions in 1977. Only Joe DiCarlo was expelled, after refusing to do what Ron MacKenzie decided to do--resign. Hopefully, Sen. Wilkerson will at least have the good sense to do what Sen. MacKenzie did.
Every day she remains part of the Senate, the more damage is done to the entire Massachusetts political system and the longer we perpetuate the stereotype of the corrupt Mass politician.
I don't trust her district to "do the right thing."
Ray, Marzilli wasn't expelled because a) He wasn't running for re-election and b) his alleged crime didn't involve the use of his Senate seat.
Long over due. With all she's done in the past, all she ever got was a hand slap. WELL DONE!!!
I feel sorry for the people of Roxbury that feel that she's the only one who can represent their interests and values. Ms Wilkerson does this community an huge dis-service by crying that she is the victim and that the system is out to get her because she is a person of color. Forget about personal responsibility and remorse. Forget about rising above where you are, striving for ideals and setting an example for young women of color to follow. Roxbury deserves some one better. There are plenty intelligent, thoughtful, honest, strong, black women in Boston who deserve some one better.
I keep hearing that our elected officials are "shocked" but this incident. The only thing shocking by this episode is that they can claim to be "shocked".
Vote Yes on One. The most financially states in the U.S. are NH and FL, neither of whom have an income tax. Teach Beacon Hill (and yes...US0 to live within our means
Give me a break this is political! When would you like an arrest? After she gets elected off of her write in campaign? The law and justice doesn't have to wait for the right time to put the cuffs on someone suspected of wrongdoing.. So if you think the timing of the whole thing reeks of a political move, tell me when an appropriate time would have been to pick up this corrupt waste of space.
Give me a break this is political! When would you like an arrest? After she gets elected off of her write in campaign? The law and justice doesn't have to wait for the right time to put the cuffs on someone suspected of wrongdoing.. So if you think the timing of the whole thing reeks of a political move, tell me when an appropriate time would have been to pick up this corrupt waste of space.
She'll sing like canary as self-serving as she is. I bet the Kaopectate is flying off the shelves at the Beacon Hill CVS. The State House bathrooms awash with diarrhea. The legislators' suits soaked in perspiration. Fingernails bitten to the bone. I hope this runs deep. I hope they also find senators who knew about this and did nothing. I hope these slimy, greedy, corrupt, self-serving snakes are led away in chains. Open your eyes and look what's happening to us. They are stealing from us. They are destroying our nation. And we keep electing the same jackasses and keep sending them our hard earned money.
For the children, right. God save us all.
DW is a disgrace, but, sadly, this is not new to politics. Corruption and greed truly show no partinsanship -- see, too, "piece of sh*t" Stevens in the Senate. I think both Republicans and Democrats can agree that we need honest leaders. I will vote YES on question 1 because I know that I can't believe *anything* these douchebags on Capital Hill tell us. The last thing we, the taxpayers, should do is give dishonest politicans more of our money to play with. We need to force them into fiscal responsibility. We also need to get new faces in there and vote out every incumbent, regardless of political affiliation!!!
The only thing surprising is that some people are surprised.
Marzilli is not running a campaign for re-election. That is why he is not being asked to resign> I know that's not what you were alluding to or the answer you were looking for. Sorry.
Diane has done a great deal of good things for her district> Let him who is without guilt throw the first stone.I hope she spills the Baked Beans on everyone.
Even if voting to abolish the state income tax passes, the creatures that infest the state house will ignore it like they did when we passed a reduction. Term limits is the answer, it will have to be a referendum that would establish an amendment to the constitution of the commonwealth. That seismic activity centered on downtown Quincy is John Adams rolling in his tomb.
How's this for a ballot question next year? Reduce the State Senate to 30 senators and reduce the House to 100 Representatives.
Stop paying her.....I don't want my tax dollars going to pay her salary any longer. This has gone on too long......
Dianne Wilkerson is just the tip of the iceberg - and, sadly, she is probably not the most egregious of the offenders. (Paging Sal DiMasi!) No one is immune, and those that say they are are most-likely the biggest hypocrites of all. You don't rise to he top of Beacon Hill with your integrity intact.
Resign for what? If it was a Republican I would say yes, but we need her in office. So she messed up. Big Deal.
Marzilli's still getting paid, though. By us, no less.
Just remember this, if she is charged with taking $28.5K, that is what the FBI can prove, not what it believes. Someone or something tipped them off, the informant, obviously, but I bet her bank records will show a pattern of cash deposits over they years, and I also bet in her arrogance/stupidity she didn't launder it very well, unless she just blows it at Foxwoods, which is a possibility. She's been in the Senate for 15 years, say she's been on the take for half that time (I'm being very conservative), say that in an 18 month period, she only took in her average that the FBI alleges (also being VERY conservative), that's $19K per year or $142K using a Very conservative estimate. I'm thinking that her real take is much much higher.
Just remember this, if she is charged with taking $28.5K, that is what the FBI can prove, not what it believes. Someone or something tipped them off, the informant, obviously, but I bet her bank records will show a pattern of cash deposits over they years, and I also bet in her arrogance/stupidity she didn't launder it very well, unless she just blows it at Foxwoods, which is a possibility. She's been in the Senate for 15 years, say she's been on the take for half that time (I'm being very conservative), say that in an 18 month period, she only took in her average that the FBI alleges (also being VERY conservative), that's $19K per year or $142K using a Very conservative estimate. I'm thinking that her real take is much much higher.
Why is Martha Coakley so quiet? Why didn't her office go after her since this has been going on for sowntime and out in the open? She hasn't been too busy going after Sal.
The reason she will resign is that gives her her pension.If they oust her no pension.Anyone that does not vote yes on question 1 is just a fool or is on the payroll.I would vote yes on 1 and for term limits and if you want some real change vote all incumbents out.Alas but that will be hard to do as we have a very high % of people that work for the state towns citys and so forth.
One reason and one reason only they did this- to protect the others. I hope they all fall, especially this senate president. The entire state needs a massive wakeup call and hopefully the FBI uncovers plenty to start the ball.
It is time they are held accountable, something that doesn't happen in this state. Instead of blindly voting the same people in year after year, it is time to
study why they should be re-elected. The Senate president clearly deserves to be defeated (and maybe arrested). They are causing some of our misery of trying to affordably live here but yet are allowed to do and say whatever. Enough. Start arresting and jailing.
I am a long time supporter of Diane Wilkerson. God bless her. She has been targeted by dispicable people who because she is black, decide that she is guilty before proven innocent. Her district was redrawn weeks before the election so that all the efforts of her staff and constituents were nullified and still she commanded 49% of the vote proving that she is loved, supported and counted worthy by voters. Boston Globe writers have always targeted black politicians, and while they try to kill her character in the press, God has kept His servant. Sorry. Truth be told, American who love and are loyal to their community and culture recognise that even good soldiers sometimes take a bullet. She is smart to stay in the race. I love her and support her and believe that with God's grace, all will be well. You can always find one uncle Tom to quote who hates himself and his people, but the community as a whole remembers that Diane Wilkerson is a people's warrior for justice. God bless her. Election day will show Boston just what we will never say to the press but truly believe in our hearts.- that she is worthy.
John F. Kerry,
NH also has a part time state legislature. Judging by the what we have in Mass. state legislature, I wish they were part time as well. They would probably get as much done.
well said, sickofit.
Could someone from the "vote yes on 1" crowd please explain how eliminating the income tax would eliminate corruption, especially since Alaska, which has no income or sales tax, is much more corrupt?
Wonder how many Dem's are squirming in their seats hoping that Dianne doesn't plea bargain and share some dirty little secrets with the Feds . How incredibly delicious the thought is, eh?
Let's see - didn't pay taxes, foreclosed for non-payment of condominium mortgage, didn't pay home-owner dues - sued, and, on and on and on...
Just WHAT is it that any sane person would consider about this woman that would mark her as "electable"?
Maybe she'll finally get the message. She's played.
Vote no on 1 unless you want to pay more rent and/or property taxes. Property tax will go up, and owners will charge more rent. Your cities and towns will have to make up the difference somehow. Term limits is a better idea.
Hopefully DW will just concede. She's making herself look even worse that the pics of her stuffing cash in her bra.
Just think, you can take the girl out of Dorchester, but you can't take the Dot out of the girl. Therese Murray is a dirtball just like all of her constituents. Exactly like Dianne Wilkerson's supporters. Between all of the gimme girls and "takers" in Roxbury and Dorchester, you don't even have a tax base of legitimate people to curry an opinion from. These idiots still support Wilkerson even though they have seen the pictures with their own eyes. Hey, when you have been taking handouts for years and living in public housing, what do you expect?
Granted, this whole situation looks terrible. But I think it's fair to ask questions about how it 's been handled. Seems like the feds treated U.S. Senator Ted Stevens a lot differently. News account say the FBI raided his house in 2007, then turned over evidence to a grand jury. He knew what charges were being considered; it was reported in the media. He was then indicted in July 08. He was charged (and later convicted) of accepting over $250,000 worth of favors -- over 10 times what Sen. Wilkerson is accused of accepting. Yet she was arrested, led out of her house in handcuffs and generally made a spectacle of. Feds couldn't wait to indict her? What, like she was going to flee the country? Seems like the need to publicly humiliate her and generate a lot of dramatic publicity for the feds are mixed in here somewhere.
Paddy...
Voting yes on #1 will cause income tax to go down... and potentially property taxes will go up. As long as property taxes increase by less than income taxes decrease... the people win.
Relatively straight forward.
I think she should resign too, but I'm guessing she won't. Of course the senate has to ask her to resign, that's just pro forma and leaving aside the legislator's genuine feelings (whatever those are), they would look bad if they didn't make this statement. But as Wilkerson is not legally required to resign, I would be surprised if she did. The only reason she would resign, I'm guessing, is if she judged that it was in her best interest, and it's not clear to me that it is. A question: if/when she gets convicted, is there anything in the law saying she can't have her job in the State Senate? I'm curious.
News Flash Paddy Braugh! Property taxes and rents will go up anyway- yes or no. A yes vote will say we've had enough!!!
She'll end up like Tonya Harding whenever she resigns or is thrown out - doing humiliating things to stay in the public eye, and to make a buck.
Hey zora ,if you love Diane so much like you claim I wonder if you are wiling to take her place in a 4by4 jail cell. I think not.. My advice to you is that you keep on praying because she is facing up to 25years in the slammer if convicted.
She is a perfect example of a woman named Eve and God told them not to eat the fruit in the garden well Eve was so corrupt she got Adam a life sentence. It was called temptation. Stupid Adam should have ran for his life. Now about that BRA....Was she paid off in One Dollar Bills wow that bra looked really full.
For consideration by those advocates for Term Limits -- hasn't worked out so well (here in MI):
Takes a while for new Legislators - good & bad - to get up to speed, while Lobbyists are around forever and easily game the system.
Strong use of the Judicial system for misbehavior sends a convincing message -- example: Detroit Mayor Kawame :-) and, hopefully, your DW.
Good luck.
///
Just one of many. All others are scurrying to CYA.
this lady is a total joke. the fact that she was able to be elected over and over again should make folks hang their head in shame. wake up people. she's a crook!
Wilkerson stuffs her bra with money and is asked to leave the Senate. Marz-illa sexually assaults several people and he can stay?
Kick them both out. Now.
To Frank R., get a clue! What is she going to help you get more food stamps? There are already enough Democrats ruining this state!
this whole situation is intolerable. my husband & I have 2 kids, make a good income and never catch a break for anything..she is a disgrace and her cheating the taxpayers for not paying taxes on legally earned money and now accepting bribes shows she does not care about serving her district only her own frivilous spending..deal with her swiftly as well as anyone connected with back room deals. does anything political work correctly in this city. staring with the backroom deals with big dig...millions made off the taxpayers, now the banks. yes lets go back and have the taxpayers pay again.
Nice typo in the first line. Are there editors of any kind at The Globe these days? With a continuous stream of manufactured controversy surrounding The Globe’s current political targets, it must be hard for the editors and reporters on duty to direct their attention to the actual criminals right under their noses. How could these sleuths miss such a scoop? Wilkerson took the majority of her alleged bribes within feet of the State House and her track record was enough to turn most of the 2nd Suffolk against her this election cycle, so why didn’t they see it coming? It’s a crime so much time and space on the front page was wasted barking up the wrong tree(s) for overt political purpose.
The State Senate will now vote to expel her sorry ass out of the Senate. Stick a fork in her. She's done.
It will be interesting to see how many votes she gets on Tuesday. It will speak volumes about that district.
This is for Vinnie, People like you disgust me. Your idiotic statement about people from Roxbury and Dorchester not being able to know right from wrong because they need social services like public housing etc is not only offensive but completely unfounded. Not everyone in these cities are still supporting her after seeing the evidence so stop generalizing a population/ group of people. You end up looking like a racist idiot because we all know you are addressing your comments towards the minority population of these cities. Is it a surprise that minorities feel negatively targeted in MA? We aren't all "public housing idiots" that still support someone that has obviously done something wrong. Obviously the media is going to show BOTH people against DW and people supporting her till due process is done. So before you start spewing statements with underlying prejudice slurs think about the fact that every idiot has a supporter out there....I mean look at you...you still support racism and prejudice in 2008!!
I just wonder what it is that she spends all her dough on???? Is she a coke fiend or what???? What would make someone do such self-destructive stuff?
"Rest assured I am committed to do what is in the best interest of the residents of this district.’’
You mean like abuse of power and taking bribes, you SCUMBAG??? You were an elected official and you abused the job given to you by the people in order to lie, cheat and steal.
you should be embarrassed and resign. The people don't want you there, and now the senate doesn't want you either.
What are you going to do? Keep your job while you're in federal prison? JACKASS.
You are a disgrace!!!!!!!!
Why is everyone linking No. 1 with Wilkerson? People are angry, but that doesn't make sense. Because of budget cuts, my office was wiped out and I'm out of a job. I work for an office that helps people with disabilities find and maintain jobs. No. 1 is not about pork, it's about services. Cut the tax and we're going to lose a lot of things. I'll find another job, but what about your kids, or elderly parents? Don't you want them taken care of? You won't be hurting the Legislature (they'll keep their jobs), you'll be hurting the one's you care about who need services and help. Let's take the spin off of this and get real.
I've read a few good arguments against Question 1, but rapidly rising property taxes isn't one of them. Proposition 2 1/2, which has been in effect since 1982, prevents local governments from increasing property taxes by more than 2.5% per year unless local voters approve an override.
The Legislature could repeal 2 1/2, but they'd be much more likely to re-institute the income tax at 5%, bringing the tax rate to the level passed by voters in 2000.
Well, well, quite the indignation, Massachusetts. Are you only just realizing that you have, next to Louisiana, the most corrupt political machinery in the country? We all realize it out here, but your bluster over the Wilkerson issue is too little, too late. From Joe Kennedy buying and bullying his son to the Presidency, to his other son leaving a young woman to die drowning in a car, to Finneran's cronyism, to Curley's corruption, to Kerry's two-mouthed approach to issues, you have a history rivaling that of Huey Long and company. Why don't you try as a group to wake up and elect people of merit instead of Democrat after Democrat in the old boys network. You are a fairly bright state (or is it the Harvard and MIT imports from other states that give you that reputation; unclear at best). Your collective gasp at the abomination of your own state politics ring hollow when you can actually do something about it, like VOTE with a mind and not the way you have blindly done for decades. Stand up to the corruption, march on Beacon Hill for something other than the unions, and try to make your state a better place than it is now, at least for your children if not to rid yourself of the ridicule and amusement most non-Massachusetts folks direct your way. Wake up and become a bit more objective.
"I am committed to do what is in the best interest of the residents of this district.’’ - If that were true she wouldn't be trying to run after losing the primary election...
And Toby - if you get Sal on tape taking bribes, yes I would toss his butt jsut as quickly...
the articles often have chinese letter,that's why?
WOW, ALL OF YOU POLITICALS LEADERS ARE IN TROUBLE. YOU RUN THE CITY LIKE YOU ARE SOLE LEADER AND RUN FROM YOUR PARTNERS IN CRIME AND YOU SAY YOU KNEW NOTHING. PEOPLE NEED TO RUN THE GOV NOT A HAND FULL OF DICTATORS.
WHEN SHE DONE SHE IS TAKEN ALL OF YOU WHO ARE INVOVLED WITH HER. THOSE OF YOU WHO MADE COMMENTS, LIKE YOU ARE HOLLER THAN, MAYOR, YOU ARE IN TROUBLE WITH THOSE WHO ARE NOT MENTIONED , GOOD BY
Rumor has it Diane has been approached by the Golden Banana????
Could this be true?
What happened to due process? And, wouldn't it be funny if this mess was a reverse sting.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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