In fiery rally, Turner blasts media, City Council president

The city counciler should be barred from entering the building or performing his duties until he is tried by his peers. If he is convicted, he should receive the fullest extent of punishment allowed. If he is acquitted, he should receive his back pay. He was the one taking substantial amount of money under the table. Why? He should maybe rethink how he does money transactions. Perhaps in a bank or his own home, this way there is no question as to the validity of the transaction, and not assumed to be illegal. A picture is worth a 1000 words. Given he has an impressive degree from Harvard, he should have known better. Shame on him for being ignorant.

THE MAN IS A VICTIM OF A WITCH HUNT!
CHUCK SHOULD BE JUDGED IN AN OPEN COURT BY HIS FELLOW SUPPORTERS - LAZY GOVERNMENT HAND-OUT VICTMS.
WELCOME TO ROXBURY.

Wow - it's amazing how he decides what he's going to say depending on what day it is!!!
I am so sick of his big mouth running and nothing that makes sense coming out of it!
Harvard educated - yeah, who paid for that education? I am curious as to who footed the bill for that one! If he did, he must be taking alot more than $1000.00 for bribes - ah but we knew that anyway!
Chuck - just go away so I personally don't have to listen to all the crap coming out of your mouth! You just don't know when to shut it .
I would bet a $1000.00 that it's going to come back to bite you!! HAHA

Imagine that...the councilers don't want to go on the record with an opinion. Maybe they should let him keep his seat, that way we can keep on eye on him along with the rest of the crooks seated next too him.

OH MY GOD.
Im sorry but what is unfair about being caught on tape? you took the money whats unfair? Im so sick of the African America route.
who out here was ever told to leave a job only to take 4 weeks to leave?
GIVE ME A BREAK.. the best thing diane wilkonson and the other now
is to rat them all out. every last one of them.
what about the corruption in south Boston polls? how do you think all those condo's got built ? or licenses to have party buses roaming the streets till 2am
etc etc.

I emphatically support Chuck Turner with this alledge alligation. I asked, Can we all just get along. If its a need to remove the man from his seat.. why not do it the right way. Here is a man that has done so much for his community and many that were in need of his service can say the same. Just because somone is surrounded by somone mixes it doesn't not make thee out to be a bad person.. Folks choose who they desire to be with and that doesn't make them to be carbon copy of someone elses behavior. I am sure many will agreed with me that Chuck is a man of dignity and strong character. I believe in our justic system and would like to see justice be done. D

It's a matter of time before Al Sharpton enters the scene......just watch.....

Witch hunt? On video accepting cash??? They don't hand down indictments because they're bored....

Why is he allowed to use a Yahoo.com account for official council business?

This just in: Embattled Boston City Council member Chuck Turner will avoid jail time by resigning from the Boston City Council, pleading guilty to wearing Hawaiian shirts to City Council meetings, and by throwing Mumbles Menino to the wolves. As part of his plea bargain, he will be under house arrest for one week, after which he will become the fourth member of rock band ZZ Top.

To what end does this fool think all this is going to come. You got CAUGHT,
go away please. And give the money back the state needs it.

If Chuck or Diane end up getting pensions it will make me sick to my stomach. Let them go flip burgers for their retirement.

Memo to Chuck Turner: if you truluy think that people are out to get you, you don't hand them a weapon which these people can use to actually get you. Remember how the right-wing nuts were out to get Bill Clinton from the moment of his election? He knew what they were doing; and then he has (whatever) with Monica Lewinsky and almost gets removed from office! In your position, Mr. T., you've got to be squeaky-clean -- I don't care about the other politicians out there. I hope that your eventual successor is a lot smarter than you are.

we must take into account if the intrest of the common man/woman have been dealt with. we cant be mad now when these type of bogus charges have been dealt from our government agencies to our communities for decades.

Interesting comment on his part - along the line that he believes that he will be found innocent by a jury of his peers. Nice tap dancing... note that he never said that he is innocent.

Chuck T is the man you go dude do your thing!! The brilliant people of mass voted against the end of state income because of political scare tatics what's the difference if you use scare tatics on a group level as all politicians did on that issue for their gain or for personal gain such as what Chuck did at the end they are all a bunch of thieven liars. In my oppinion the people of mass got what they deserved.

Brenda #6....what? I encourage you to go back to school. BTW, Justice is being done.

Chuck Turner is a rare politician - a public servant who has gone out of his way, all hours of the day, to be with his constituents and to advocate for those who are not in the loop of financial and political power. The sting operation against Chuck makes me very suspicious -- could it be an updated, slicker version of Cointelpro (1956-71) which among other groups targeted Black Panthers and other activists -- including Dr. Martin Luther King. Instead now the aim is at African American elected officials who fall to the left of center.
Shame on the cowards who spew vitriol in comments to the articles -- Chuck is not my district representative but speaks more for me than mine does on many issues.

I

so the city council backed down b/c they are afraid of turner taking them to court? are you even kiddding me? that scumbag is walking all over the city. he should be stripped of his duties. wwdd? what would dappa do/

In a statement, Turner said: "While I intensely dislike and think it is highly unfair to decide a person's guilt or innocence though the media, it is clear that once you become a target of a media witch hunt, you either fight back by presenting the essence of your legal defense or allow the media wolves to destroy your reputation so that the jury's decision becomes irrelevant to public perception."

so this guy is complaining about the media, yet he is trying to bring his own media to defend himbecause he can't do it on his own

I l ove you Chuck. I will be waiting for you once your release from Jail.

Sorry Brenda, a crook is a crook is a crook. He did a bad thing, he should go. Period.

Talk to any criminal and they'll tell you it's all a giant witch hunt against them. The idea that doing something wrong has consequences gets them into an absolute rage, but if anyone looks at them the wrong way they'll pick a fight. Any color, any country, criminals are the same lot.

Chuck needs his day .... in jail.

What exactly has Chuck ever done for his community? I'm at a loss to see how spouting idiocy and taking bribes helps the community.

I will say I'm actually surprised he's corrupt. Its always been clear he's a useless nutball, but I actually thought he believed the nonsense he spouts.

I only hope the FBI keeps going and gets the rest of the crook politicians. Busting Chuck and Diane isn't racism, but thinking there are no white people up to the same thing most certainly would be.

The Democratic party in Massachusetts is corrupt. And its the fault of the voters of Massachusetts, who give them no reason not to be corrupt.

A man of dignity? He accepted a cash bribe on camera in a FBI investigation. It doesn't get too much clearer than that. He and Wilkerson are not the targets of the wolf media - they brought the attention on themselves by BREAKING THE LAW. It is about time the two of them stop blaming other people and accept responsibility for their actions. They are a disgrace to their constituents who entrusted them to act of their behalf. The fact they each claim racism is equally disgusting. This has nothing to do with race, they were both caught on camera! Playing the race card is insulting to all rces.

Mr. Turner has indicated that 90% of those who serve the public are tainted. Why has this servant of the public failed to bring these culprits to the attention of the proper authorities?

Amazing! Every time a politician gets caught with his or her hand in the jar, they blame the media. Reminds me of the Republicans. Every day of the week, every week of the year since Richard (Tricky Dick) Nixon, they have whined about the press. How convenient to forget Limbaugh, Hannity, Malkin, Coulter, O'Riley, Savage, and countless others who shamelessly promote any view from the Right no matter how preposterous.

The man is a crook and a disgrace to his community. Lock him up and throw away the key.

he should be suspended WITHOUT pay until he completes this sitcom in court. He should be ashamed and held accountable for what he did. Diane Wilkerson resigned with force and pressure but did it, now he should as well
tax dollars at work
What a disgrace!!!!!!!!!!!!

The small fry politicians need to get their cash by bribes,not like Kennedy or Kerry who were born into it or married it. It is to bad we do not have term limits. The people are the dopes that keep voting for these thieves.

If this was somebody on the police force, in education, or in some other public service position, wouldn't they be placed on administrative leave - with or without pay depending on the severity of the crime and strength of the indictment?

I would have loved to have been there at city hall, but I HAVE A JOB. Unlike all those other deadbeats who suck off the public, and could go hold signs behind this corrupt piece of trash. His constituents are dumb enough to believe that his is the best representation they deserve. Good for all of them and this fraud. Their lives suck because they have so little respect for themselves that they will deny what their eyes show them. They pass down this to their children and the cycle of purpetual grievance continues. Turn and this ememployed supporters deserve each other. My hard working, money saving self will go home tonight, enjoy the warmth of my home and family, watch my big TV and plan a vacation. hahaha ...Turner's a chump.

Guys enough with the Question 1 BS.. because every time something this comes up its "people voted against Question 1" Who cares. really, you are just making yourself look like a bunch of loons.

All I have to say about Chuckie is.. keep running your big fat mouth, when you are convicted, thrown in jail, and thrown off the city council, you're gonna look like a bigger fool than you are now.

Just buy holding a press conference and declare your innocence and asking the city council to hold back on removing you.. you are just making yourself look like a huge fool. Just keep it up.. keep it up Chuckie, your day is coming SOON.

I just wish he'd just go away.. I really am sick of him and his total BS he spouts off about. Its total bullsh*t and just makes him look like a complete pompous fool (which is what he is anyways!)

Turner is a traitor, he tried to sell fellow Blacks who served in the military down the river. It is payback time traitor.

Wow... I am not from Boston and was amazed that Council President and Turner both look like pompous windbag idiots. Then I read the comments, presumably by the folks who elected them, and understand why.

To all the powerful black politicians that fear they may be the target of overzealous unjust prosecutors I offer this great bit of advice........The next time you are offered a bribe DON'T TAKE IT!!!!

Classic partisanship in a totally liberal controlled state. If this was a Republican who did this, he would have been tossed out of the City Council before the handcuffs went on and the video would already be on U-Tube.

Claire -- please read my previous post. Even if we assume that a new version of COINTELPRO is being run, today, why was Turner such a colossal fool as to give the people who run this program a legitimate weapon to use against him? WHY did he not tell the person who gave him the cash to stick the cash somewhere, and then run as fast as he can before Turner called the police on him? Yeah, I know -- "innocent until proven guilty", and all that. But, dance and twist all you want -- if your guy is on camera, accepting a bribe, you're going to have a hard time convincing the rest of us that your guy was set up.

What's wrong with this picture.........the criminal calling the shots, oh sorry, it's usually that way, what was I thinking.............WHY IS HE CALLING A RALLY WHEN HE WAS CAUGHT RED HANDED?????????? What a bunch of clowns we have running this city... I'm ashamed to live here

For someone who hates the media so much, he sure doesn't show it by holding a rally on the steps of City Hall.

Seriously Chuck, just go away. Nobody believes you...you know why? BECAUSE YOU'RE GUILTY AND THERE IS PHOTOGRAPHIC AND AUDIO EVIDENCE TO PROVE IT.

Little diddy about Chuck and Diane,
Two African Americans growing up in hubland,
Chuck's bribe on film will make him a star,
while Diane stuff's her cash bribes into her bra!

Let it rock, let it roll!
Lock'em up, no Pension or Parole!

Yup...it's George Bush's fault.

He apparently is not afraid to speak his mind and say exactly what he thinks is occurring around him and who is out to get him. Therefore, why couldn't he explain the primary evidence at the crux of these allegations, i.e. what was he doing in the photographs released by the FBI?
Two major points that so far haven't been discussed: 1.) He hasn't denied that it is him in the photograph AND 2) he hasn't explained who he was accepting the money from and why he was accepting the money. Wouldn't that be the easiest thing to do if he is so innocent!?!?!?!

Chuck Turner supporters need to stop putting race into the matter. A politician that 'looks out for the community', and then TAKES YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY does not deserve your support rally. Anyone that has earned your trust and faith and then breaks the law only to make your community look corrupt and undeserving is not someone whose side you need to be on. For Chuck Turner to try to turn this into a race issue is embarassing for us blacks in Boston who can see right through tactics and know he is guilty. The race card does not and SHOULD NOT come into play in November of 2008. Come on!

Cowards.

27.r - Weak. There you go, going after conservatives. How can you even equate their message (rush, hannity, etc.) to this CROOK. You and Chuck are obviously missing the point, this was the FBI not NBC.

Geez, I thought Obama's victory was going to bring us all together?

Sorry but there is actual footage of him taking the bribe. Itsnot just pictures.... Then he has the gaul to say he did nothing wrong.... give me a break.. They should have held that meeting and ousted his butt.....

My favorite post is the person who blamed this on the Republicans. I can guarantee you the black man in the city does not have a single Republican backer. Just look at the crew he has with him in that picture. Maybe the guy who looks like Jerry O'Connel got lost on his way to the DMV, but Mr. Turner is your typical Massachusetts politician...most are Democrats, but that doesn't even matter at this point...who used his power for monetary gain.

Just like DiMasi. Just like Wilkerson. Just like Kennedy. Just like Kerry. Some many handshakes under the table, so many dollar bills stuffed into a bra.

Hey Chuckles, if you don't want the media to pay attention to you, then stay out of it. Calling your own press conference is like talking out of both sides of your mouth. Come to think of it.....

Hey all of the people in the photo. It's the middle of the day, go to work!!!

Has any one come out and asked him "Did you take the money?" If so, what was his answer. I have yet to see it published or on the news. It should be a yes or a no, nothing more...hmmm.

THIS GUY CHUCK IS A BUM AND LOOKS LIKE ONE TOO. HE SHOULDNT BE ABLE TO GET A JOB AT TACO BELL AFTER THIS. GIVING THE CITY A BAD NAME AND REPUTATION BECAUSE HE NEEDS A $1000 BRIBE FOR A GOOD FIX!!!!!!!!! HE'S A BUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( (

The council should never have scheduled the meeting in the first place. Tobin is right, this was a now-win situation for the council. Precedent is clear that they can't prevent Chuck Turner from showing up. However, if he has committee chairmanships and other posts that the COUNCIL (not the voters) appointed him to, they are well within their rights to strip him of those. But why take such drastic steps until there's a conviction? Will they re-appoint him to those posts if he's acquitted? I fully beleive that Mr. Turner will be convicted - they've got him on video, after all.

But I also question the FBI releasing this video BEFORE any trials. They did this with Ms. Wilkerson as well.
Any other time they're asked about an ongoing investigation, they say: "We cannot divulge any information in an ongoing investigation." They should add: "Except when we feel like really embarrassing the target of our investigations..."

I

He's a crook and trying to scare people into leaving him alone or he'll pull the "Jesse Jackson/Al Sharpton" card. Do any of you there in the picture work? Or are you all on the take with him?

Does anyone know of a link to that audio? I heard it on the radio and have not stopped laughing...would love to hear it again.

At the moment these are only allegations and he is innocent till proven guilty. One can not compare Senator Wilkerson to Chuck Turner. Sadly Senator Wilkerson had a history of evading the law. Chuck Turner has not had such actions, had not served in a half way house, had to be made to follow rules. I do not know about you, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt till he has had his chance to have his day in court. Council President Feeney's action were premature and impulsive. She did not think this through. Let the process work and until it does, let Councelor Turner work too.

Hey Feeney, Who do you think you're kidding? The City Council is "not easily intimidated"?. Wasn't it YOU who was at the "private meeting" with Wilkerson where you cow-towed to racist claims about minorities not getting liquor licenses? So you broke the law, undermined the system and took part in passing a license under the table. You're doing the same thing with Turner. It's time for YOU to go. We need HONEST LEADERSHIP - not people afraid of AL Sharpton and his cronies. What a disappointment!!!!

One of my evil elves has escaped the workshop!!! Chuck!! Come back and get to work!!

A little ditty about Chuck and Diane....two little crooks, heading to the heart of the can.

Chuck is no different than any bldg officials in any city, town or county in this state...maybe even country. A gift cert here and there or a little green to the right person get's you permits and access. It's cheaper to get dirty and work with the thieves in control than jump through the red-tape and play by the BUREAUCRATIC RULES.

OHHHHH PLEASE more of the I am an African American and the white man/world has wronged me......you did it now deal ohhhhh and for the record, slavery died before Lincoln so shut the F*** UP!!! I am soooo sick of the reverse discrimination always put on the whites.....I am sorry but if you want to advance your people soooo much put blame on yourselves.....lazy, ignorant, self righteous, and most of all babied race on the planet......BUT there are many African Americans who aren't like that....I have plenty of buddies who are African American and not like that......and they prove to me and everyone else that there is hope for a self reliable African American in this country.....I am fed up with the BS mentality that African Americans deserve soooo much because of slavery......move on and get over it.....even the Irish had it worse when they came over than you did during slavery and you never hear one of them complaining......it's time to quit being dependant on those welfare checks and get a real job.....cause we all know Mr. Turner is on his way to a nice welfare check.....cause he deserves one......please. how pathetic

How did he get through Harvard?

Brenda, where'd you learn to write? Roxbury Community College? or Boston Latin, because it seems you still have an elementary level education.

"The Wire" just moved north to Boston. You can learn a lot from that program written by those who lived the demise of Baltimore mostly due to corruption. The real question is where will this end? The mayor?

why should chuck be so ridiculed for something that everyone in that office is doing?? chuck: BLOW THE WHOLE THING OUT OF THE WATER, PLEASE!!
WE ALL KNOW this crap is, and has been going on for years and you and dianne are not the only ones on the take!! you were singled out becz they want you out, theyve wanted you two out for years now! expose them all... and they all know who they are, theyre just praying you cant prove it! what a sheltered and racist city we live in when people act like these two are the only ones who have ever taken money!! c'mon people.. the only bad thing about all of this was the way the transactions were handled...

These race-baiting asses are just as bad as people who falsely accuse someone of rape. Both crimes set the cause of those who are legitimately wronged five steps back, and both permanently stain the wrongly accused.

It's time for our politicians in general - and those in Boston in particular - to grow the hell up. They are our employees, and they have all forgotten that.

Turner is nothing but a man who is trying to wheasel his way out of breaking the law. I do not feel that this should be a race issue at all. For the meer fact that our country elected a black presedent and that 99% of this state did the same should abolish any remark that could lean toward racism. The Race card can't be used anymore. We all watched on Nov 4 where Change happened. So that being said I feel that Turner needs to resign his post and be further investigated as to what other unlawfull wrong doings he has commited.

"Im sorry but what is unfair about being caught on tape? you took the money whats unfair? Im so sick of the African America route."

Why are some of you being so racist about this? What do you mean by the African American route? If you want to judge Chuck Turner, then judge him as an individual, don't judge an entire race based on one man's ALLEGED courption. It seems it doesn't take much tobring out the demons lurking in some of you...

Guilty

Until, once again, that tired old dead horse of a race card is played.

Here's how it went down: CW (corroborating witness): Hey Chuck, you know your neighbor Al? CHUCK: yeah. CW: He loaned me a grand. I told him I'd give it to you to bring to him. that okay? CHUCK: Yeah, I guess so. (CW turns on tape recorder) CW: Here you go. Take your wife out to dinner. CHUCK: HAHAH yeah, sure.........do you think this is impossible?

Claire #18.......you have way to much time on your hands, It happens he is black... are blacks being targeted, NO NO NO... if black politicians are worried they should clean it up..........a politician is a politician black white yellow, if they are crooked, screw em

Hey "r" - in case you didn't notice this guy is a DEMOCRAT, not a Republican. You are hearing hoofbeats and thinking zebras.

Nice try Chuckie, Your not fooling anyone. Your a nut.

let's see the tape

At least the picture featured on this article doesn't lead anyone to think that there is a bit of racial tension. I am not sure how to put it lightly, but it seems that crooked African American politicians seem to seek only one demographic for support while they spew out BS in pubic... this is not looking good needless to say

That is quite the rally Mr Turner held. All those people must be concerned their free ride is coming to an end. Looks like Mr Turner is the driver of the gravy train. Too proud or stupid to blame himself for his mistakes so he has to blame everyone else.

I don't know if Turner is guilty or not - exactly what did the CW handing him the cash say or expect and what did Turner deliver in exchange for that. What is clear, though, is that the feds are chasing small potatoes. They've also timed these allegations to distract ours and the media's attention from the crimes apparently committed by FBI agents and managers, recently exposed in the Connolly trial in Florida. Great to get Turner for $1000, but where are the indictments of the other half dozen federal agents who seemingly aided and abetted murder ,robbery and a long list of other capital crimes ? Justice ?

This clown should have been removed from his job back when he submitted pics from a porn site and said they were real images of rape being committed against Iraqi women by American soldiers (and never apologized for his hideous mistake). This guys is such a piece of garbage, no matter how loudly you yell into that microphone you buffoon it doesn't make you innocent or right....and hiding behind the race card is despicable. We have an African American governor and just elected an African American President, I guess "racism" ends when people like Chuck and Wilkerson can simply get away with breaking the law.

I just e-mailed Turner with a simple question. The message to the Yahoo account is disabled. I hope he disabled it today because he received too much supportive mail. Otherwise he looks like even more of a buffoon to have a disabled e-mail account on his letterhead.

he was caught red-handed taking a bribe. The louder he speaks...the more he yells...and the harder he tries to change the subject...the more he is admitting guilt.

Try him among his peers in the City Council have him removed the correct way.

Crook. Liar. Pathetic Disgrace. How can anyone give this buffoon a hint of respect? He's betrayed our state and his constituents. At least Dianne Wilkerson had enough common sense to resign. Did Chucky give his $1,000.00 to the city council to look away? What and idiot.

#16 Your an Idiot , The people of Mass voted against eliminating income tax because to many people would have lost their jobs, especially the ones that protect your home and streets. Any elected official that breaks a trust of the people should lose their position immediately and then face the proper charges. And another thing if he hates the media so much then stop running your mouth off to them. Have a nice time in jail

Let me get this straight. Mr. Turner doesn't believe that innocent people should be trashed in the press without being afforded due process of law. Where was that philosophy a few years back when he called a press conference to smear our troops and accuse them of horrendous, and violent sex crimes, based solely on some pictures taken from middle eastern pornographic movies???

Chuckie has a nerve ... He has a secure job and screwed it up. He can't deny or claim a race card HE'S ON VIDEO. I can't believe the African American community be still back him after seeing the video, are they that nieve?

"At this afternoon's rally Turner said little about the charges. At times he veered off topic, saying at one point he needed to address why he was photographed leaving his house this morning with his pants unzipped. "The reality is I rushing so fast to get dressed to avoid more harassment from police and the press that apparently, from what they say, I didn't zip up my pants," he said, excoriating the media for not providing the proper context for the photographs. "

Are you kidding me?!! He was rushing so fast to avoid the media??? Lets See you leave your house. Walk to you car. Then Turn to the Cameras and give the old Richard Nixon victory sign. Then get into your car. But it was the media's fault for him getting caught on tape taking money. It was the media's fault that he didnt zip up his pants. And if you truly believe you are innocent to proven guilty in this day and age, what cave have you been living in. He things he was set up or framed? he was framed alright. A framed picture of him taking the money. yeap he got framed lol

I can't believe you people. This is Outrageous! How quickly Mr Turner is trying to turn this around an blame the media. Don't Blame the media Mr Turner Blame the man in the video taking the $1000 in cash. You're a disgrace! And your right you shouldn't be tried in the press but tried by a jury of your peers. Now which peers are we talking about? The same peers you share a common interest with and acccept compensation for deeds done for others? Or the peers who look at justice and believe justice should be served despite race creed and color. Sad sad sad! I only wish you were a white man so your fellow constituents who seemed to think this is a which hunt and a race issue could just go away. You're not guilty yet but when and if the jury finds you guilty then so be it. I'm sick to death of all the politicians who think they are doing a service for their constituents when all they are doing is serving themselves and lining their pockets. Shame on you and your supporters! Watching Mass politics is like watching Brotherhood on Showtime!

You are right Chuck. One should not rush to judgement without having all the facts straight. We are all very sorry.

It amazes me how stupid politicians can be. For Dianne, it was 24k that ruined her career. For Chuck, just 1k (so far that we know). THEY WERE CAUGHT ON CAMERA, PERIOD. Now they whine, kick and scream in denial. Wow. So corrupt, and so blatantly guilty.

What part of "caught on tape taking a $1,000 cash bribe" is it that he doesnt understand?

Pappa Smurf needs to get a brand new bag.....this man is superbad.

I missed the part where Chucky said he was innocent. He'll rat someone else out now. He did have one thing right, it's a "witch hunt" ...but forgot to add "for corrupt politians"

NEXT!

He claims he is being harassed and that "News outlets that would not cover my work as a city councilor are now knocking at my door every hour."

A quick search of the Globe archives brings up 618 articles on him. I guess when you are caught with your hand in the cookie jar, you just go blame the media.

I hope he has a better argument in court.

Chuck Turner has most certainly said he is innocent. His supporters know he's innocent, this is a scandal. Unfortunately, as Chuck has stated clearly, the media including the Glob, won't report all the facts, only those that would appear to implicate him, it's called media spin. It sells papers.

Chuck is VERY different from actual corrupt politicians who never get arrested but are instead pardoned by other corrupt policians. The only reason Chuck is being singled out is because he actually works for the people he represents, and even those he doesn't. The powers that be do not want him to work for those they opress..

He will expose everything, then what are all you racists going to do then?

As much as some of you think this guy has done a wonderful job for his community, in essnce, he has also done a disservice to you by accepting bribes. I would be upset if I found out my state rep was taking money for favors!! It seems Turner used his position to not only influence decisions that were not for the best interest of his consituency but also for his own self greed. There must have been some prior activity that made the Feds pursue both Turner and Wilkerson. It's easy to play the race card but the reality is that all races are getting busted for this activity. It's on film and it is what it is so accept the facts.

If he took a thousand I'm sure he took a lot more. I doubt he was caught the very first time. He's an embarassment to the city, not just African-Americans. Let's leave the whole black thing out of it. A crook is a crook.

You know...I have alot of compassion for someone that has provided enormous sacrifice and service to thier community, however, corruption is like a virus and it will take us all down with it. I have absolutely no sympathy for corrupt politicians and I actually think in many respects thier punishment does not go far enough.

Let's be realistic here.
Yes, it's true that the media is crucifying you and your cohort Wilkerson. Yes it's true that they assume you're guilty.

However, when the FBI releases a photo of you accepting $1,000 in what at best could be described as shadey circumstances, well my friend, you dug your own grave.

Obama has been elected President, Condaleeza Rice is head of the State Department, Oprah Winfrey is one of the richest people in the world...there are opportunities out there even for African Americans. Stop placing blame for your own incompentent behavior on another group of society at large. We agreed with you for decades...but its time to move past it. That excuse doesn't work anymore.

Looks like an angry Santa. So typical to deflect the real issue...did he take the money or not...bottom line.

chuck turner is has been and always will be the biggest racist in the city

THE WIRE: CAN YOU SAY CLAY DAVIS!!!

I wish race did not get brought into this matter. However, I firmly believe that if Chuck were Italian or Irish, the outrage that is spilling forth would not have the vehemence that it has.
Many whites have worked their butts of and are just getting by. They perceive blacks, in general, as lazy and dishonest. They see blacks living off the welfare system that their taxes pay for.
Giving expression to these feelings has become politically incorrect. However, now a political indiscretion by Chuck lets them spill their vitriol spew out as legitimate moral outrage and not racisim.
Just for the record, my skin is just about as white as it gets.

BentleyKid - pure genius, so funny

The devil made him d o it

I'm black. I'm proud. And I'm embarrassed by Turner and Wilkerson.

This is why we have a racial divide. It is clear to me as a black man that this poitician is corrupt, I don't care what color he is,he is a thief and needs to be punished. Please remember the cooperating witness is a black business owner who went to the FBI because he was sick of being extorted by these
politicians. Mr.Turner I do not agree with you explanation although I can empathasive with your situation. I've heard in the neighborhood that you have come upon tough times and were looking for xtra cash. Become a man worthy of respect. Apoljize ask forforgiveness and move on .

I believe in the right to a fair trial and innocent until proven guilty. But when you are caught...caught red handed accepting a bribe as a public official...you lose the right to be innocent before proven guilty.

Nobody is making this up, this was not doctored. I am tired of listening to these clowns get caught doing something illegal and then turning around that they are being oppressed or that they are the victim because they will no longer be ale to help their constituents. These politicians are arrogant, self centered losers who think that they have the right to do business anyway they feel as long as it has their people in its cross hairs.

Go away Chuck Turner...Go away.

This rush to judgement without legal knowledge of process is what really caused Feeney to pull back. There is no official recall or removal procedure for elected officials in the Boston City Charter as published on the City's website (I'm not sure the entire charter is published there). There is no legal process in the Mass. General Laws for removal of a municipal elected official. I suspect the city's attorneys have told council members that they probably can't "throw the bum out" even though we would all likely agree that he shouldn't continue serving. They may legally be stuck with him until the next election.

J. Cougar, touche! $1,000 buck Chuck is a piece of work, caught with his zipper down.

I think that this article was written by someone who took offense at Chuck's "scolding" of the press and in retaliation, is portraying him as a nutty, angry Black man instead of as an incredibly, smart, passionate, hard-working politician who has given the major portion of his life to community service. The large turnout at this rally is testament to the support Chuck has in the community, Black and White. Was Chuck angry? Absolutely. Was he yelling into the mikes? Of course he was--there was a crowd of 400 people and no sound system--he was trying to be heard. Chuck related the story of the press talking about his pants being unzipped as an example of the impact of the media's intrusiveness on his family and an example of its distortion of what it covers--this was one of his themes, and not "off-topic," as this report suggest.

I don't know the truth of what happened and neither does anyone else who was not present. Chuck Turner, like every other American, is innocent until proven guilty and there is no reason he should be denied his right to due process. It was Council President Maureen Feeney who was set to put on "political theater," desperate to prove to Bostonians in the face of so much recent corruption that has been uncovered that she and her City Council are going to nip it in the bud, even at the expense of Turner's constitutional rights. In fact, some of Feeney's own colleagues felt that her proposed hearing was inappropriate. My Councilor, a pretty "middle of the road" kind of guy, in fact, went on record with the Globe saying he refused to participate and I'm pretty sure he was not the lone dissenting voice. I'm sure that the dissent within the ranks of Council played a role in Feeney's cancelling the hearing, though of course she would never say so.

Many who played significant roles in the Civil Rights movement along with people who live in Chuck's district, and many younger people were on City Hall Plaza today in support of Chuck Turner. I wonder what brought us all out--certainly not an "angry," "defensive" "scolding" crazy guy. What an interesting story that might have been.

We need to hold our elected officals accountable for their actions no matter what their ethnic or racial backgrounds. President Obama's election has certified that we are now in a post racial era. We need to move forward and base a man or woman, to paraphrase Dr. King, not on the color of their skin, but on the level of their character. In this case the courts will decide.
D. J. Moriarty Boston born and bred

Judging by many of the comments here, Turnere has a point. It seems that all that has to de done is to make an accusation against someone and people assume guilt. Becuase - I guess - the Feds don't lie or set anyone up. And if it's the "on camera" that people think constituts hard evidence - vids can be altered.Is he guilty? Who knows. That's less important to me than seeing yet again how easily people accept whatever is placed before them. Over and over and over and . . ..

He sounds exactly like a guilty person would. If he didn't want the public light, he should not have become a politician.

He is on tape! accepting a bribe! That's not evidence you can talk your way out of.

The man is clearly against the media, because he got caught!

after having read the f.b.i. report, i am not so sure he is guilty. they went to him and offered him $$ to take his wife out to dinner. he never asked for nor solicited $$ from them. give him the benefit of the doubt. good luck chuck !

To answer the question of why politicians blame it on the media - it is simple...you wouldn't know about it if it wasn't in the media. Unlike any regular person's information you wouldn't be forming your decisions on one half or one quarter of a story. People get handed money all the time - and even the fact that someone hands you money and says take this for do something nice for your kids and wife after a deal is done - could have been met with, "oh no I couldn't" and he might not have known it was in the handshake till after the hand was extended and the FBI employee could have bounced out - without a way to even get it back - who knows. But people like to act as if they are positive of things before facts are known. That is why you give the benefit of the doubt, until you do, thus the phrase "innocent until proven guilthy"

Good Luck Chuck

This has been done on a larger scale...Kwame Kilpatrick in Detroit. Turner's not even that good at obscuring the real issue of his current problem, whereas Kwame was a master at injecting the race issue into his own felonious actions. At least it's an entertaining b-league sideshow for the local political scene.

So Chucky Babes is crying foul. Said that he was setup. I don't care if he was setup or not, HE TOOK THE BRIBE AND SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. The stupid jackass was aware that the feds were looking into corruption since he should have learned from that other 'Politician On The Take' Diane Wilerson.

I'm still perplexed as to which restaurant Chuck took his wife to.

oh I know this game......Pretend you are not the one that is wrong and you wont be!!!!!!!
The media still needs an Obama lashing, whens that coming????

In response to
"...these type of bogus charges have been dealt from our government agencies to our communities for decades..."

What type of bogus charges? Which government agencies? What communities?

I'm guessing that the video tape the FBI has shows Mr. Turner accepting a bribe, which is illegal. Yes, he's considered innocent until proven guilty, but I'm just guessing that the video will clearly show him engaging in illegal activity. You can't entrap/setup/trick an honest man into taking a bribe. I really wish Mr. Turner would just be quiet.

stings are created for just this purpouse, to catch people breaking the LAW,
I agree he may have done a lot for his community, but that was than and this is know and we are all judged by the present and allways the past

why didn't he just say NO Thank You, I do not do buisness that way!!!!

Good crowd for Chuck today. Then again, none of his constituents have jobs anyway......

First Dianne Wilkerson, now Chuck Turner... What is it with black politicians in this city? They are a JOKE. A DISGRACE.

Kayla,
How do Mr. Turner's supporters know he's innocent?
Mr. Turner is different from "actual corrupt politicians" only because he was arrested? (So he's corrupt too, just sorry he got caught?)

This has nothing to do with race. I'm very glad Mr. Turner does not represent me, and I have to tell you - when he took the $1000, he was not looking out for all those oppressed people he represents, he was looking out for himself. He is not doing those in his district any favors by carrying on with all his silly drama.

Mr. Turner went to Harvard. I don't get how that makes him oppressed - seems like he had the advantage over most people.

I hope he does expose everything, if, by that you mean that he has information on other corrupt politicians - even the non-minority ones!

Another crooked politician caught in the act. Good riddance to any/all politicians who feel they are above the law.

The best defense is to shut up and let court decide .Yelling screaming rally do nothing .

Look what happen to Roger Clemons
if you are not guilty shut up and get a good lawyer

Why is it when anyone ielse s caught on Video they would be put on leave with pay until trial. Why would ANYONE support him allowing to hold committee chairmanships or even sit on council. I am sorry but being caught on VIDEO TAPE is more than just hear say. He should be removed from council. The evidence is overwhelming. If as he says, he is innocent, then fine. But he not be able to stay on council until he is proven innocent . He is on video tape.

Turner: Face the facts. Despite your complaints about a supposedly "ignorant" press, the FBI caught you red-handed on tape accepting a bribe. The tape doesn't lie.

At today's press conference, Turner demonstrated that he is not only a buffoon but also that he is the one that is ignorant - not the press.

The City Council should expel Turner immediately after his indictment.

This is the guy who refuses to shovel snow from his sidewalk and rationalizes it by saying people in Roxbury do not use sidewalks... Furthermore, he says "the cultural practice is not to use the sidewalks even when the snow isn't there."
Really?
Clearly, this guy is one of those types who is never wrong, will not be held accountable and thinks that he can do anything.... And you know what? He's right! As long as 250 constituents stand up for him and his thievery, he can and will get away with this absurdity. If you folks want to support him and vote for him, then have at it- you deserve all the bamboozling you get.

I do find it interesting that all of the targets of this investigation so far are black. I find it hard to believe all of the white men in the power structure are clean.

And, I am a white guy.

One English idiom and one famous quote:

Empty vessels make most noise.

"It is better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak up an remove all doubt" ....Abraham Lincoln

My 3 and half year old daughter was watching the news with me tonight. As Turner spoke, I asked if she liked this man. She paused and said "No."

Watching on, she paused and said "Daddy, is he a wizard?"

The best way to protect oneself when offered what appears to be a bribe is to videotape the transaction. The it becomes "he said...she said". .

Being a person of color it angers me to hear Chuck Turner use the race card. Perhaps he should have realized from the beginning that because of his color there would be increased scrutiny and instead of being a law abiding citizen he stabbed his supporters in the back for a mere 1k. The more he opens his mouth the more years they should tack on to his prison sentence for perjury. Any reasonable person would see that this is not an issue based on color, and if you are a person of color such as myself you should be even more angy. You should be angry that he lowered himself, to the level of such a petty crime, mis-used his stature as a community leader and abused the trust of the people who put him in office to make a difference. In the end he is no different than a common criminal, therefore he should be treated as such. Do not pass go or collect your 200, or shall we say 1000 bucks and go straight to Jail! Good luck Chuck. I for one wish you nothing but bad luck.

Whether or not the man is guilty the comments above leave little doubt that this city is full of a great deal of racial hatred and linguistic violence. The rest of the country has begun to move on, why can't Boston?

If you have the law on your side, pound the law...if you have the facts on your side, pound the facts...if you have neither, pound the table......seems like a lot of table pounding to me...........................

I don't follow Boston politics, but this is getting interesting. When it comes to corruption, I doubt people get caught the first time they take a bribe.

A question - is Chuck a grass eater, or a meat eater? There's a difference. Have any of you heard these terms used before?

A story - years ago when I lived in Somerville, my apartment was broken into and my stereo was stolen. The detectives came and we started talking. Coincidentally, the detective was an older brother of a coworker. He told me that guys who do B&E's get caught because they start to get cocky. Direct quote. They get away with it a few times, and they think they're beyond arrest. Chances are this wasn't Chuck's first time, either.

Finally, and Chuck, I know you are reading this - read up on Bud Dwyer from Pennsylvania. Now that was a news conference!

Opression??...Get a clue. We have a black govenor and soon to be black president. The problem isn't opression but a law, a law that has been broken. You got caught with your pants down Chuck...get ready to pay ;-)

Chuckles. beep beep beep. It's the Feds van backing up to the courthouse to take you and Lady(?) Di to Leavenworth where you both can rot in hell.

Comment from Chuckie: "are you gonna believe ME or your "lyin' eyes"

Hey Chuck: To quote the movie "Role Models" of all things I don't think you did it because you're black, I think you did it because you did it!

Agreed Chud! This is not a race issue... Do you honestly think that all the people from the FBI who spent all the time putting this case together were white...gimme a break. This guy was caught on camera committing the most dishonorable act a city councilor could possibly do. Just think about it, would you be let back into work after your boss caught you on camera doing something like this...NO.
He should not be paid until a verdict is reached. If favorable on his part, he should receive the back pay. If unfavorable he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Cant pull the race issue here...there have been plenty enough white Boston politicians corrupting the system......
Its just someone else turn to get caught and anothers turn to be President...I think that's fair enough....

Ike Turner, Chuck Turner... who's next? Ted Turner?!

Chuck Turner announced months ago that he was being framed by the FBI. Why isn't the media covering THAT?
And for all you haters, try to remember the whole "innocent until proven guilty" part of our judicial system.

You know, if I had $10.00 for every supporter that showed up for Chuck Turner, I would have a thousand dollars right now... Come to think of it, that's the same amount Chuck got from his previous "supporter"!!

Aw man. It was only $1,000. It wasn't like really big money or anything. I mean these guys are underpaid, and deserve a little on the side. Then the feds come and mess up a good thing. To take his job away, when this the first time he was caught? That ain't fair! Why aren't the feds going after real problems? A little political corruption ain't nothin'. Heck, we're going to have a president that got more money from a convicted felon than Turner - look how good the country's doing since Obama was elected.

This dude has the Hulk Hogan look going. What a tool!

It seems to me that if one were truly innocent, one would not need to be an obnoxious loudmouth about it. That alone speaks volumes with the idea, albeit erroneous, that volume and vehemence equals truth.

So the politician is blaming the media that he got caught taking a $1,000 bribe? Is that his defense? This guy needs a better lawyer and a Gillette Mach 3 shaver. Try for a plea bargain and shave that wicked nasty thing off your face!

As an African-American male from Roxbury I'm dissappointed by Mr. Turner's behavior. Whatever the Federal court or a jury of his peers rule, in regards to legal technicalities and his innocence, you still acted inappropiately. By perhaps helping one man or woman circumvent the system you likely screwed another. Maybe me? Perhaps someone in your neighborhood. You are disgraceful to use the race factor to establish an excuse for poor judgment. Yeah, the media will never get there stories right and we love reading the sensation of anothers demise, but I don't need the media's one sided blabbering to know right from wrong. You're wrong Chuck. You made a mistake. Apologize and move on. There's a new breed of African-Americans, Irish, Italian etc. living in the community. We are not all poor. We are not all uneducated. We are not all African-American, we are all contributing to your payroll. Don't insult our intelligence by your ranting about nothing Mr. Chuck...you make yourself look guilty.

And the dominos continue to fall... Diane sang like a bird and so will the rest. Denying allegations makes the situation a million times worse. Chuck, you're a scumbag capitalizing politician. Admit it. I only pray to God that this road eventually leads to the true source, that being Mumbles himself. If the country can change, so can our state. GOODBYE, TOM!

Idiot.

Let me tell you what Chuck Turner is going to do -- actually, let me tell you what he's doing ...

He's whipping up grassroots support not because he wants to go to trial to prove his innocence, but because he wants to cut the best deal possible, one that will allow him to escape jail time.

This case is not beatable. The problem, of course, is the video. Even it the jury was packed with his own voters, none would be able to see the video for anything but it is -- evidence of a bribe.

And he'll probably get the deal he wants -- a guilty plea and no jail time or fine after which he'll lie to his supporters about doing it to protect his family.

But whether he accepts the plea or not, his life is over.