Wilkerson resigns a day after indictment

Thank God!

FINALLY this woman did something proper. Good riddance.

Wow...I hope that we ALL learned something from this. I especially hope that Dianne understands why this all happened. Forget entrapment - this culminates YEARS of her behavior being enabled those those around her that could have put a halt to her inappropriate actions, and possibly could have helped her to avoid eventual jail time. I still believes that she needs our prayers.

Good riddance! Hope you rot in jail . . . .

Finally this crook did something right. She knew she had absolutely no ground to stand on. Now let's hope the Feds put the screws to her.. she's going to go away to prison for a very long time..

The spotlight should now also be focused on all of those politicians who, up until a few short weeks ago, went all out defending Diane Wilkerson.

!!!!!GOOD RIDDENS!!!!!!

It's about time.

Now if only everyone on Beacon Hill would do the same. . .

# 5 - "particularly the Irish Americans"?
Your 'not-so-thinly' veiled racial insults aren't going to fly this time.
Don't make this a black & white issue - It isn't.
This is about a morally corrupt woman who used her power in an attempt to keep up a lavish lifestyle. She's a degenerate and deserves everything she gets. Useless garbage. A fake and phony - as are all her 'supporters' who continue to support her because of 'all the good she's done'.

I think if Dianne puts her bra on ebay she will be able to finance her legal costs. Seriously though, it's a sad ending to a once promising political career. The woman may have been able to become Mayor of Boston.

She's gonna flip. Everyone just hold your horses. This has just started to get interesting. Mumbles, Salvatore, et al ain't sleeping too well nowadays.

Dianne is a beautiful person. I'm not saying what she did was right at all. All politicans do what she did. It's just a matter if you get caught or not. DW was not a well liked political figure in Massachusetts. They are using her as the poster child for corrupt politicans. Trust me there will be more to be exposed.. Regardless,Dianne and her family needs our prayers.

about time

Thank god....It's about time! I still can't get over the fact that some people still support her throughout all of this even after seeing all of the pics that were posted. Hopefully the indictment made these people see a little clearer regarding this crook....knowing how stubborn some of these people are, I doubt it.

To King Oduduwa

You have got to be kidding us. She is a crook, she stole money, that was after she failed to pay her taxes which make up her salary. She was not setup...She stole money and went to Foxwoods. She set herself up!

That is what it is all about. Looking out for your neighborhood businessed. That is the way it was and it will always be. (from #5 above) --

No King.. that is not what it is all about. It is all about doing the right thing when you are in public office, and especially when you are a role model for a whole community. Yes, there are other politicians too (remember FInneran who ALSO got kicked out?)... so it is not just Diane that has been targeted. Wake up.... The community needs someone with *integrity* who can do the right thing, not just "look out" for neighborhood businesses by doing the wrong thing.

Some politicians still represent their constituents fairly and honorably. If you are looking for ethnic gang activity and public corruption, look at the "Rifleman" trial and continued search for Whitey. Then there is also the questions about DiMasi. This might just be the beginning.

King O., your post is not only racist, it's factually incorrect.
Taking 23,500 (that we know about) IS big pal, and she wasn't set up as you say. I also have to disagree with your insinuation that's the way business is done - if you take bribes you will go down regardless of skin color.
Just because she is African American means nothing - she is a crook and deserves to be arrested and prosecuted.

But the big question is wheter or not she keeps her pension. Let me guess..

King O., your post is not only racist, it's factually incorrect.
Taking 23,500 (that we know about) IS big pal, and she wasn't set up as you say. I also have to disagree with your insinuation that's the way business is done - if you take bribes you will go down regardless of skin color.
Just because she is African American means nothing - she is a crook and deserves to be arrested and prosecuted.

AN EMBARRASEMENT TO PUBLIC OFFICE.TO MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS EXPECTED.LONG OVERDUE THOSE IN A POSITION OF POWER ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW.SHE HAD A CHANCE TO BE A LEADER AND TRAILBLAZER FOR THOSE LOOKING TO REPRESENT A COMMUNITY AND A PEOPLE.BUT THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE LOOKING TO MAKE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER INSTEAD OF LINING THERE POCKETS.

GOOD; I WOULD NOW LIKE TO SEE THE BLACK MINISTERS WHO JUMPED TO THIS CORRUPT POLITICAL HACKETTE'S DEFENSE GET UP ON THEIR PULPITS THIS SUNDAY AND ADMIT 'I WAS WRONG ABOUT DIANE WILKERSON' !! ONE MINISTER SAID RECENTLY SHE WAS A 'CHAMPION' !! WHAT A DISGRACE.
NOW, ON DECK, LET'S SEE DIAMASI HAND OVER HIS 'CONFIDENTIAL' DOCUMENTS TO THE FEDS BEFORE HE SHREDS THEM.... YOUR TURN IS NEXT DIMASI !! THE INDICTMENTS JUST KEEP A COMIN IN THIS TOWN !!

I agree that Ms. Wilkerson is most definitely not the only corrupt politician in the state of Massachusetts, but let's focus on what we know...she has a track record of tax evasion, perjury and bribery, so clearly, she is deserving of the punishment that she will get. And perhaps she has information that will also help bring other corrupt politicians into the spotlight so that they may be held accountable too. It's a win/win.

I love the "two wrongs make it alright" argument above. It never worked with my parents and it is sad to see some adults still peddling the idea.

First, MOST politicians don't engage in the type of self-serving criminal behavior that Ms. Wilkerson is alleged to have done. Second, those that do it often get caught and serve time.

I particularly enjoyed the baseless "Irish Americans have been getting away with it for decades" argument made above. Really? You mean like the quintessential Boston Irish American politician James Michael Curley who was was twice convicted and twice served time?

It's never right, so let's stop with that nonsense. Aiming low just gets you poor results.

How did she ever get through Boston College Law school?

what took so long for people to take action? between the tax evasion, defaulted loans, shoddy history and now bridery....it was about time.

I hope this makes the feds take a closer look at all on the hill. Next up is the Speaker and his dirty ways

I figured you would not run my previous blog the Boston Globe and Boston .com are in the Pockets of the Kennedy's thats why people hate mass and all the democrats in it.

Can't wait until the trial when she's asked to try on the bra in evidence. "if the t*t don't fit, you must acquit!"

well, if she is the first one to be set up by the feds, surely it is because she is black and the feds do not want to set up the caucasians. If she is wrong she should pay the consequences but they should also be setting up the causcasians too.

Okay, so this loser finally did the right thing and resigned. Good riddance. But did anyone read the letter published on Boston.com from the Senate prez Murray? What a load of trash!! She basically has blamed all past, present, and probably all future scandals, crimes, and shameful events on Wilkerson and with this resignation, everything is now good!! Message to Murray - Pull your head out!!! When you say "I don't know if we'll ever hear an apology from those who should offer one" I'm assuming that's your way of thinking you and your remaining Senate cronies don't owe the taxpayers an apology for the way you've run this state into the ground. Why don't you do us all a favor and you resign next? We'll take that as you’re apology.

Actually, the right thing for her to do would be to plead guilty, apologize and forgo the request for a court appointed attorney. But that will never happen.

Murray is going to go down with this as well. Interesting she makes it sound isolated when you still have Sal hanging out with his friends.

Is there a paragraph missing from this article? Or is Terese Murray living in denial?

"And though one person may cast a temporary shadow, we are too strong, too determined and too righteous as a collective body to allow any doubt to linger," Murray said,...

Too good?!?!?! Too righteous?!?!?

She *is* talking about the Mass statehouse, right? Or is there a paragraph missing?

DING DONG THE WICKED WITCH IS GONE!!!!

Yo' King O. - Diane earned this. She has been on the wrong side of the law for years. Her actions are inexcusable and despicable. Yes, other politicians are crooked - perhaps not quite so blatantly. And they too should be brought to justice. Quite frankly, Diane considered herself to be a pretty big fish by the way she presented herself on many occasions - no humility whatsoever. As one of her constituents I can assure you that she absolutely did not look after my neighborhood's best interests. Her greediness got in the way (such as favors she received from Columbus Center).
I hope she is given a long sentence in jail, huge fines, and no free lawyer.

LOL
"Good riddens" - that's magic. ...Plus an excess of exclamation points both before and after, like a bonus of sorts.
Nicely said!

now maybe that racist jerk at forest hills T station will stop campaigning for this woman.

I am from NJ, but good riddance anyway! This thief was making $1400.00/week?That is enough pay for the whole lot of those weasels! And what an insult,that her pay was not suspeded! Like the saying goes,"there is no honor among thieves"

One down, hopefully many more will follow.

The corruption must be stopped!

I'm sure there is a spot in the Obama administration for her.

" Good work of the Senate", "Commit ourselves to ensuring the public trust", "Too righteous as a collective body". I fell out of my chair laughing. You want an apology from Wilkerson? You ( The Senate) should all apologize to the people of Massachesetts for what you have and have not done.

Just curious. Does this mean she still gets a pension?

Type your comment here...Perhaps she is just misunderstood. You folks shouldn't be so harsh on your fellow man or woman.

Peace.

Yo' Michelle - get a grip. Diane does not deserve our prayers - she took advantage of us and it seems will continue to do so. A beautiful person? In what way? I can't even imagine this.

She sent in a hand written note as a resignation letter? way to go Lady.... nice.... couldn't type it out and sign it? or is it not allowed?

Mr. King: Get off the martyr train and grow up. Wilkerson is the first WHAT to have been set up and busted...? Did you go where I think you went? You must have, after the sweeping generalization about Irish Americans. Wake up and smell the present. It's not about race, it's about greed, an electorate that kept voting her back into office despite her improprieties and lack of respect for the public's trust. And she could have accomplished so much. Not every politician is on the take and not every voter is an idiot. Instead of boo-hooing Wilkerson and her unfair treatment, go out and make a difference in her stead. Help to make things right.

If she wos not black this would'nt be an issue.!!!! most other non minoratory people in Congress get away with this type of a stuff each day.

Murray is ineffective at best. She's appeared anxious to protect a pervert's bonus chairmanship cash, and to defend policies such as year-and-a-day and 20-and-out pensions, and expensive separate healthcare contracts among cities & towns.

Lord Almighty, does every thing have to come down to color? Haven't we evolved yet? The woman is a crook! Let's get them all I say! Greed has taken over the world and I'm tired of giving my hard earned money to crooks! Let me keep it and I will take care of myself.

She hand wrote her resignation letter? How unbelievably unprofessional and in keeping with her demeanor.

Number 27: She cheated! What a disgrace.

$1,400 per week; three houses plus the bribe money we probably don't know about and she cannot afford to pay her attorney? Bull. I just hope she is not allowed to collect a not-so-well-deserved pension. It would not be fair to the taxpayers who are still struggling to pay to keep our heads above water.

Am I the only one that thinks the fact that Wilkerson's resignation letter was handwritten and submitted on plain paper, not letterhead, is a good summation of her whole career? This woman didn't give a darn for doing things properly (yes, I know I'm taking this to an extreme) and the fact that she won't type a letter or put it on letterhead just furthers that argument. Disgrace.

About time she does the right thing, she was starting to look real UGLY for trying to keep a job that she obviously did not have no respect for because she got caught doing the same thing .
SERVES HER RIGHT, SHE DESERVES EVERYTHING COMING TO HER.

Perhaps she is misunderstood?

Let's not lynch her until we have the facts.

A handwritten resignation just shows it comes from the heart.
I am sure she is a very good person otherwise.

Sometimes, greed gets the best of a person in life.

It happened to her.

She atoned for it.

Let's forgive her and NOT accept her resignation!

DEMAND she be kept in office per the new "bipartisanship" coalition that President Obama is trying to spur and foster.

Grow up and forgive and forget.

She aint the enemy people.

"deffending Diane": [Sic] -- maybe you should learn to spell first. Then you can def[f]end Diane -- your Hero..... of "minoratory people"....

MERCCCCY! Couldn't someone type the resignation letter up for her!? Good luck, Diane.

First Jefferson and his freezer.
Now Wilkerson.

It's a white supremacist conspiracy I tell you, and that is to oust all blacks out of state and federal public office.

They set these black politicians up all the time.
Only to bust them when they get them to take the bait.

Assassination to them is "old hat" anymore.
They are more cunning these days.

They involve the black politician in scandal and wait to reveal the scandal to the world.

The unfortunate thing about all this is that other pols won't learn from this. Their motto is "don't get caught". Most of us have a "dark side", even religious leaders, so the only thing we can do is continue to be vigilant in catching and punishing those who do persist in unethical and immoral behavior. Amen

"deffending........minoritory"................ LMAO.
Ladies and Gentlemen - Dianne Wilkerson supporters!!!
Nice try Chins...... and uh, Roscoe??? - "She atoned for it"??

She did?? Because I must have missed that memo........

I think every commenter on this board is a joke because of your epic bias and judgment. I believe you are all weak and only find sanctuary in the judgment of others. 23,000 is nothing compared to the guys pumping billions into the military complex that carries out murders left and right in the name of the American dream. Wake up! I JUDGE YOU in all the hypocritical fashion that is your own. It is called TERM LIMITS. 2 terms and you are out. That simple.

#42 (Brian)....
DUDE, let it go already! Move on and find something new to moan about.

and to #49.... Really?, Really?... I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that the person that wrote that isn't "minoratory".

Buh-bye, soon-to-be-inmate Wilkerson. She is the enemy, a scumbag politician that put herself above anyone else. Good riddance.

She is no better than a common thief and should pay for her crime. Greed is what got her where she is. Can't put the blame on anyone but herself. I hope she loses her pension too. I would hate to think I will be paying for her retirement with my tax money.

I find it very interesting that after reading the whole article on the internet, not once did it mention what political party she represented., after some research I found her to be a Democrat. Had that been a Republican the article would have started. Republican Stevens found guilty. Funny how they try to hide there puppets.

Dianne We Love you!!!!!!!! Keep your head up and continue to let God guide you with his spirit.

What about some of the other pols that are tainted, DiMasi, Murray, Rogers, and also Martha Coakley for being a fraud.

I hope they supervise her cleaning out her office. She'll probably try and take all the equipment, etc... home with her. What a crook!

Diane, you did the wrong thing to acceped the money, but did a right thing
by resigning, I totally feel your pain. I am not lawyer like you, but I am sure
lots of people work for the gonverment are corrupted, and lots of business
owner, especilly in the services, they are like the godfather like that, they think
they are untachable, they do all kind of thing to your car, your house and they
charge you so much to fix them and then threating you to call the police on you
if you try to flight them. That's just wrong. I don't think you are a bad person.
next time please try use better judgement when making a decision. I have been arrested 4 times already and you're much lucky than I am becuse your
skin color, for me I am chinese, I don't have a law degree, but I am equally
educated but most white or black, they just assume that I just off the boat like
that. That's just not right. Police thinks everyone who is not in their uniform
are criminal like that and they abuse their power, I don't feel that they are here to. Diane you will get over this, and Hillary had her day in court before, and look
she can be our next president, after obama.
sevear or protect at all.

I love all those posters that are so quick to call the race card... What an excellent opportunity for you folks to prove to us just how ignorant you truely are!! Thank you! Race has NOTHING to do with this!!! Breaking the law, taking advantage of your polical position and years of scamming is what this is about... the person who got busted just happens to be black.
I cringe to think any of you pro-dianne people actually believe that Wilkerson is or has been an upstanding citizen, worthy of respect or for that matter, a person you can trust.

Through all the name calling, and well wishers, I must agree with Sharon in comment # 3. Like many of our elected officials Ms. Wilkerson forgot that she served at and by the will of the people. Many of us who supported her had a responsibility to rein her in, but like Sharon said our silence enabled her. Yes, it is easy for us to point our fingers at her; however, when we do so there are three other fingers pointing at us. Don’t get me wrong, I in no way condone her conduct, and no, I don’t buy the conspiracy theory “that she got setup” But, for the righteous amongst us I believe a Man from Galilee put it this way “he who cast this stone without sin step up and cast the first stone.” And when He looked up all the stone throwers were gone. Is there a righteous one amongst us? Find me one!!!!

Is it okay to rip off a wal-mart because they are a rich, soulless company? I don't think so. Dianne needs to pay for her crime. Now as to whether it's "selective prosecution" -- maybe. And we should not stand for that. Let's let it all hang out. Any politician at the state house who's done something underhanded should be put on notice. I'd like to see Martha Coakley issue a statement to that effect. We won't tolerate corruption anymore from our elected officials.

She did the right thing.

But now that she's gone... who do we have to represent us in the State Senate? Is no state senator better than a crooked state senator? Will we get an interim until the Diaz takes office? Will Diaz take office early?

Two words to stop this culture of corruption-- TERM LIMITS!!!!!!

By the way, I got arrested 4 times not becuse I should be, it just evil people
manipulated the whole situation, they living like the outlaw like that, and
they are white and when you are not like them, everything they do goes through
but everything I files doesn't go through, that's why those who work for the
government should becareful becuse I can sue them for billion if I want to.
it is about being treat equally. Dianne I feel your pain everyday. Good luck
in court. And I will pray for you.

Wow! all this hostility amongst us.
And yet, Billie must be laughing his butt off. Ya, he didn't know what his brother was up to, or where is can be found now?
Ahh, ya. Ok.
I want the same doors to freedom for me, so I can break the law, choose my own termination date AND still get to collect a salary and retirement from the very people I lied and stole from. Sad part is, it does reflect on all politicians.

Did she honestly scribble a hand written note of resignation? The only way that could be any less professional would be if she wrote it on a gum wrapper or napkin or something!

When is Sal DiMasi going to do the same thing? A bunch of crooks on Beacon Hill. They ignore the will of the public and do as they please. This state really contributes to the notion that people enter politics not for improving society and public good, but to enrich themselves with pensions and graft while they hold on to their office.

This is not about race and those who say it is demean themselves. Black people can no more grant absolution to a thief because she is black than Irish folks can grant it to pederast priests becaue they are Irish (if they are).

Stop trying to divide us all by invoking false statements about "it's because she's black" and unite us all by admitting "it's because she is a three time crook loser!" Good riddance!

Finally, Diane Wilkerson does the right thing. Good riddance. She's an embarrassment to the Black community. We deserve better than this.

I wouldn't be surprised if she turns out to have substance abuse or gambling problems. I hope she gets the help she needs.

To "deffending Diane "

Your spelling and your grammar are atrocious despite the computer's spell check program. Perhaps you should take some classes and improve your education. Most likely your opinions would change as a result. An educated, intelligent person would be able analyze Ms. Wilkerson's actions and figure out that she is a criminal plain and simple.

While I agree that no one can completely judge another, we do need to hold them accountable- especially those who hold the trust of public office. I am glad that she resigned and hope that we can collectively start to get back to work and focus on the critical issues MA faces. Race is not the issue- integrity is, and all public figures need to be held to the same standard.

#72, Sorry to inform you, but you are not equally educated. The grammar and the spelling in your post alone prove that. However, I do give you points for making an effort and stating your opinion.

Dianne Wilkerson is a thief-plain and simple. Doesn't matter what her skin color is; she abused her public trust to enrich herself-the evidence is in print for all to see. I grew up in Roxbury; she is an embarrassment to the community who always thought she was above the law.

I won't bother reading the letter posted on this web site, because it will be a litany of "not my fault" and "I am victim" and "why me". All the usual crap that people busted red-handed fall back on. She and Ted Stevens should start a "I won't quit and you can't make me" support group. At least he had the sense to concede when he was voted out!

I hated her for what she did, and then I saw her picture.

This woman strong armed all the community health centers in the area. There was a great man who she destroyed at Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center with her bra stuffing activities. Investigate this one! She will be up on more charges. Ask her about the "Substance Abuse Contracts she gave to a company in Chicago and accused the center of misappropriation of funds" .......If you look at the Board of Directors at the time who supported her like Doris Bunte, Stan McLaren, Georgia May Simpson, Michael Curry, and many others............it all adds up now..............and to the union who supported her andsaid the money would flow to the health center once Joe Evering was gone. Where is it? If this is true, maybe Wilkerson can pay her restitution to them for all the harm she did to this community and save a seat for Allen Ball for the cell next door. These individuals judged the only CFO that ever made a difference to this community health center along with our absentee Medical Director over charges from 20 years ago, but kept hob knobbing with Wilkerson. Oh that's right, the CFO was white and everyone else was black. It's ok if your a "current" criminal as long as your black according to the board that is illegally constituted and being run by the Treasurer who is also collecting wages from the Mother Caroline School. How ironic is that! Wilkerson you day came and to the current board of directors at Harvard Street, you day is coming too!

in the cell next to her.

Great news. Now how do we stop paying for those legal funds. I think selling one of the two homes she owns would be a great starting place.

I've got it! Wilkerson's roomate in jail can be that woman from the Malden Treasurer's Office who was arrested last week for allegedly embezzling a half million dollars of tax payer money. Two peas in a pod. Oh wait, no, that won't work because the newspapers said that there could possibly be up to 30 more arrest in this case. Or maybe she can share a cell with the Senate Page who was arrested for armed robbery. Yikes, I forgot about the two guys who drank on th job in Boston and helped themselves to gas in their own vehicles when they were supposed to be watching the city gas pumps to keeep that from happening.Oh, what the heck. Put them all in a cell together!

FINALLY! This almost makes me think that the MA House and Senate can be reformed. The fact that she is gone from the MA Senate is my early Christmas present.

Comment #30- Best by far.

Did they check her pockets and boxes? She is a thief........

This was an inevitable - but still very sad day... Those who stoop to gloat over this woman's fall might be denying their own frailties... How is it, that so many bright, idealistic people enter public service to "do good" yet eventually settle for "doing well?" I don't consider her remarks about "everybody's doing it!" to be legal or moral justification for her past or present legal issues, but that does provide some insight into how she may have lost her way.

Dianne, I wish you all the best in meeting the challenges before you; I hope that you receive no more nor less than the justice you deserve, so that you might now be in the best frame of mind to finally accept the fairness of society's judgements & stop denying the shame that you appear to have brought upon yourself & those who have repeatedly stood by you. As another human being, I will pray for you because I can sense the magnitude of the upheaval you are experiencing right now! I earnestly hope that your pain will be no more than you can manage, so that you may grow & learn from it, as well as re-connecting with the ideals you once held, which steered you towards a career in law & public service...

Although this may well be a story of opportunities squandered, I still believe that you hold the power within you, to prevent this from also becoming the story of a promising life wasted -- Good luck!

I am all for the resignation of Diane Wilkerson but come on folks he racism must stop. Whether is was a African American or a Caucasian just needed to be served. Boston will never change.

When will the Diane Wilkerson Memorial Plates go on sale??