Licensing Board chair mum on Wilkerson bribery allegations

November 5, 2008 06:23 PM Email| Comments (10)| Text size – +

(Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff)

Daniel F. Pokaski left the meeting saying only, "My reputation's been savaged, savaged."

By Donovan Slack, Globe Staff

Boston Licensing Board Chairman Daniel F. Pokaski declined to discuss alleged backroom deals in the award of a liquor license when he appeared publicly today for the first time after the FBI's arrest last week of state Senator Dianne Wilkerson on federal bribery charges.

Pokaski was in Ireland and did not return repeated telephone calls last week as the Wilkerson arrest gripped the city and Beacon Hill and engulfed the licensing board in controversy.

He presided today over a routine Licensing Board hearing. Afterward, he would not answer any questions about the case. Approached by a reporter, Pokaski pursed his lips, shook his head, and said only, "My reputation's been savaged, savaged."

A lawyer retained by Pokaski later stated that the chairman did nothing wrong in awarding the liquor license that is a key element of the case against Wilkerson. But he would not discuss the specific actions attributed to Pokaski in an FBI affidavit released when Wilkerson was arrested Oct. 28.

"Dan Pokaski has been a public servant for over 30 years, and he has done nothing wrong," said the lawyer, Howard Cooper. "Chairman Pokaski intends to cooperate with all appropriate inquires from law enforcement."

Without being specific, Cooper also said that Pokaski's reputation had been unfairly tarnished.

In the FBI affidavit, Pokaski is said to have promised a liquor license for a cooperating witness who was allegedly paying Wilkerson bribes to secure the coveted license for a nightclub in Roxbury. The affidavit says Pokaski met privately with Wilkerson and other politicians in August 2007 at the State House, where he allegedly agreed to provide the nightclub with a liquor license.

Federal authorities also say they recorded a conversation with a lawyer representing the nightclub who said Pokaski had called to say the license had become available and said, "I have one for 'em. I promised it to them and I have one for 'em."

Also according to the affidavit, Wilkerson called the Boston Licensing Board's public proceedings, "smoke and mirrors."

The Licensing Board, which is headquartered at Boston City Hall but appointed by the governor, is responsible for issuing and regulating liquor licenses in the city. The number of licenses is strictly capped, making them valuable commodities that can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars on the open market.

The three-member board is composed of Pokaski, former Secretary of State Michael Connolly and former City Council candidate Suzanne Iannella, who was appointed last month by Governor Deval Patrick.

A spokesman for the governor said last week that he planned to review the board's actions in the case of the Roxbury nightclub, called Dejavu.

"If there are findings of misconduct we will take appropriate action, including removal," spokesman Kyle Sullivan said.

Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com.

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10 comments so far...

Indict him. Today.

Posted by Ground November 5, 08 01:10 PM

"If there are findings of misconduct we will take appropriate action including removal," spokesman Kyle Sullivan said.
After the Wilkerson furor dies down, things will go back to business as usual at City Hall and liquor licenses will still be available to those with connections.

Posted by bert f. November 5, 08 02:19 PM

Savaged? Savaged? The best defense is a good offense, Dan. The dictionary defines "savage" as "fierce, ferocious, or cruel; untamed".. Anyone sitting in on one of your hearings knows that you are indeed the one who's a savage. You personify the term. What goes around, comes around.......your victims can all sit back now and watch you squirm.

Posted by paybacktime November 5, 08 02:54 PM

mumbles cronies - he should be investigated as well!

Posted by mazie November 5, 08 03:10 PM

The licensing board is a joke. This guy gets 100k a year working 15 hrs if that a week. I suggest the mayor and the governor to take a real look at the corrupt system from the board to the detectives to the police who are taking bribes to get licenses and to keep places out of trouble. This division should be under one direction and that is the ABCC. Someone needs to step up and accountable for their actions starting with Pokaski! Guys like this ruin this city and this state! We are not RI or NY don't take bribes! Please clean it up and get rid of these people!!!

Posted by taxpayer November 5, 08 03:19 PM

I'm with you Bert F. 'Smoke and mirror' reforms and then back to business as usual

Posted by zoyboy November 5, 08 03:56 PM

As someone who has been hauled before this kangaroo court called the "Licensing Board", first as an employee of a license holder and later when I owned my own restaurant, I take nothing but delight in watching these three appointees squirm, especially Pokaski.

Such a level of condescensions you have rarely encountered - with their hustled through phony-baloney parliamentary procedures and more importantly the moralistic attitude - treating those before them like children. And that was just the poor sucker that got called before me.
before me

Posted by Mike Boston November 5, 08 08:46 PM

Independant investigation or federal investigation is needed at all levels of local and state government because the locals are too close to those that are appointed or elected to do the job. Now lets get rid of Marzilli before the end of the term. Maybe we should look at Gerry Leone who let Marzilli go in the first place. These elected officials are getting more and more embarrassing!

Posted by Paul November 5, 08 10:28 PM

The feds should also investigate the Boston police detectives assigned to the licensing unit. these corrupted detectives frame local businesses, Making up false violations, to fatten the chairmans pockets and there own. Something needs to be done here!!!!

Posted by Reggie A. November 5, 08 10:30 PM