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From the Metro staff at The Boston Globe

Sen. Wilkerson indicted on corruption charges

November 18, 2008 05:06 PM Email| Comments (20)| Text size – +

By Globe Staff

A federal grand jury indicted state Senator Dianne Wilkerson today on eight counts of accepting bribes, exactly three weeks after the FBI arrested the longtime lawmaker in an undercover corruption probe.

The Roxbury Democrat is accused of accepting more than $20,000 to help secure a liquor license and steer legislation to benefit a developer. Under federal law, prosecutors must file an indictment or a charging document called an information within 30 days of a defendant's arrest.

"This remains an active investigation," US Attorney Michael Sullivan said. "We intend to aggressively pursue all leads in this case, more fully digest the evidence we have gathered to date, and bring additional charges as called for by the evidence."

Wilkerson faces eight charges of attempted extortion under color of official right -- essentially, using her office to illegally get payments.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The indictment also seeks the return of the $23,500 paid to Wilkerson by undercover agents and a cooperating witness as part of the investigation, the US Attorney's office said in a joint statement with the FBI and Boston Police.

The 18-month federal probe of Wilkerson was outlined in detail in a 32-page affidavit filed Oct. 28 by an FBI agent in US District Court. Wilkerson has denied any wrongdoing and resisted pressure to resign despite losing re-election and receiving a formal rebuke from her Senate colleagues.

On Oct. 30, the Senate passed a unanimous resolution asking her to resign immediately, a call that she rejected because she said it was "unreasonable." The measure passed by her colleagues also referred her case to the Senate Ethics Committee, which could be the first step in expelling Wilkerson from the chamber. It was not immediately clear how long that process would take.

Wilkerson's term ends in early January. She lost her bid for re-election to Democrat Sonia Chang-Diaz.

"With this news, I once again urge Dianne Wilkerson to resign from the Senate immediately," Senate President Therese Murray said.

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20 comments so far...

see you in cell block 4!

Posted by bubba shanikua November 18, 08 04:55 PM

There's no excuse for her actions. Thankfully, United States Attorney's Office has a 95% conviction rate. I hope she realizes the fallacies in her actions.

Posted by anchloran November 18, 08 04:57 PM

I am Dancing in the Streets
Send her to JAIL
no breaks this time
JAIL

Posted by JP resident who never voted for her November 18, 08 04:59 PM

My question is: WHO are the approximately 1200 Brain Dead voters who actually casted a vote for Wilkerson on Election Day?

Oh - I forgot - this is Massachusetts. You can kill a woman , rape a boy, and run a brothel for teen age boys then later on steer the country into financial ruin (thanks Barney) and get re-elected over..and over,.,,,and over....and over..

Posted by Moscone Bail Bonds November 18, 08 05:06 PM

If there was any doubt before, there shouldn't be any now. Dianne Wilkerson has to go. Forthwith.

Posted by mikeg November 18, 08 05:21 PM

She should do the honorable thing for once in her life and resign. Is she just staying on the collect her salary???

How could Menino and Patrick have endorsed her most recent candidacy???She had been etchically challenged for years - long before this most recent scandal.

Posted by David November 18, 08 05:38 PM

Just get her outta there, already. Geez.

Posted by Bob November 18, 08 05:40 PM

How come Marzilli didn't need time to clean up his office (help staff find jobs, etc.), but Wilkerson does?

Posted by reindeergirld November 18, 08 05:44 PM

Why doesn't this woman just go away? She is disgusting and has done irreparable harm to her Senate colleagues, many of whom are now receiving subpeonas. She thinks that calls for her resignation are "unreasonable?" And she has asked for a court appointed attorney, claiming that she can't afford representation? Where the heck did the $23K go???

Posted by JBar November 18, 08 06:00 PM

Typical MA Democrat...no scruples.

Posted by Howard Morin November 18, 08 06:28 PM

how soon before the race card is played??? did i read somewhere that she can't afford a lawyer??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? get her the hell out of there!!!!!

Posted by cathy loder November 18, 08 06:34 PM

another big city corrupt democratic pol. no other choice in this state

Posted by Kevin November 18, 08 06:40 PM

This is outrageous! Our state senate appears to need an overhaul. I'm not surprised that Wilkerson is from Springfield. The corruption at this end of the state is rampant. Everyone thinks they are above the law. I hope the taxpayers get some real justice and we see her spend some time behind bars.

Posted by Martha M November 18, 08 07:21 PM

I'd say if she can't return the money she took in bribes TODAY, then she should go directly to jail. She is a thief.

Exactly why is it that she remains at large? Is she related to someone who would rather turn a blind eye than acknowledge that she is demon seed? Is it the color of her skin that gives her slack? Maybe she is related to the Kennedy's...they got away with murder as well.

Posted by Again, disappointed November 18, 08 07:22 PM

Numeous articles have documented the relationship between Dianne Wilkerson and Winn Development. Have they given a statement on her current situation.

Posted by Longhill Gardens November 18, 08 07:31 PM

RE: D. WILKERSON This woman is a disgrace, not only to public service but to women as a whole. She has had a shadow of criminality about her for years and has had the support of the community in spite of it. What happened to "not an appearance of impropriety". Something federal employees have always been expected to live up to. She has confronted the peoples tolerance too blatantly with this latest violation of public trust.

Posted by judith omalley November 18, 08 07:47 PM

Me and the boys want to know, with all thes criminal
charges against her, does it make her entitled to a
bigger pension?

Posted by david trottier November 18, 08 07:57 PM

She's trying to hang on until January to get another year added to her pension. The greed never stops with her.

Posted by Disgusted by her and her actions November 18, 08 09:56 PM

Throw her out NOW--and strip the pension NOW.
Jail will come and she ain't going alone, the Mass house and Senate are full of Wilkersons..only a bit less arrogant and a bit smarter.

OUT NOW..eu

Posted by honestabe November 19, 08 06:24 AM

Race or sex has nothig to do with it "morans" she just did what she did, and got caught, she is stupid! she should have never did that and now she has to pay.... it is that simple! This is for 14 and 11

Posted by shay November 19, 08 06:51 AM