Wilkerson says she can't afford a lawyer

What happened to the embezzelment money(ies)???... and WHERE are her supporters now during her time of need or money???...

She can sell her house, car, whatever, how much more do the taxpayers have to be liable for over this moron???

Use some of your bribe money

It is the holidays, Diane, the Gap is hiring, go fold T-Shirts!

Hmmm.... Of course she can not afford an attorney on paper. I am sure she declared the $23,500 in bribes that she took. NOT, and that amount is what we know of. Do I smell another IRS investigation as well?

She should get a court appointed attorney and if she is found guilty of taking the bribes, pay back full amount to a battered women's shelter in Boston, and should stay behind bars untill she makes good on the debt

Why cant she pay the lawyer with the bribe money????

Then may I recommend pleading guilty?

Methinks she's delaying so she has a shot at pension.

Plead guilty and it will save both you and the taxpayers time and money.

Pull it out of your bra. Isn't that where you keep it?

I could be wrong but I believe she has passed the bar exam and is a LAWYER!! Why doesn't she represent herself??

I know...I know....her client would be a Fool!!

Diane. You won't need a lawyer if you just do the right thing and plead guilty like you know you are. Your arrogance never ceases to amaze me.

Check your bra!

Ripping off the taxpayers once clearly wasn't enough!

the gap,honest work,are you crazy!i am sure their is a no show job out there somewhere,one of her corrupt pol friends will take care of her,besides shes not qualified to work at the gap

Are you serious? Use taxpayer money to defend this crook? Let her use the bribe money or sell some of her assets. This is downright ludicrous, ridiculous and any other word I can think of that's printable.

I feel as sorry for Diane as I do for the AIG executives. If she doesn't have a load of cash socked away somewhere - she must have blown it at Foxwood's.

Add her name to the ever growing bailout list!!!

With her outstanding resume, do you think Gap would hire her?

Look in the bra.

Ah, diane. You are a lawyer.

Why doesn't the cow just save the money for a lawyer and just do the time. You're going to end up an jail anyway.

Like we haven't suffered from her actions enough and now she wants taxpayers to pay for her lawyer! She gives new meaning to the word chutzpah.

She is still trying to steal taxpayer money!!!!! She should not be allowed not one more penny from the taxpayer's pocket......Even her "supporters" have abandoned her after she used their campaign contributiions to make car payments.

Indeed! Sell your condo (oops she probably owes another year of condo fees and there's a lien on the property). So now the taxpayers she betrayed will be asked to pay her legal fees. What a country!

Does this woman have no shame?

Given that so many people are forced to represent themselves in probate and family court because they can't afford lawyers, it's about time a "lawmaker" feels the same pain. The evidence here is pretty conclusive, she should really just admit to the crime, name who else was in on it with her, and do her time. If she can bring down DiMasi in the process then maybe she would even be seen as hero for these efforts.

does the court recieve full disclosure of her finances? where is her husband in all this mess? Are we to pay her attorney his hugh fees or the standard for public defenders??? another example how powerful use there position to usurp the needs of the public at large.

What happened to her legislator's salary that she still receives?

Poor baby ! Are we going for the sympathy vote now. I DID pay my taxes, and I still have enough money for a lawyer. Just sell that 52 inch TV you got with the tax money.

Since when does a person that wants a court appointed lawyer get to pick their own lawyer? If she can't afford a lawyer giver her one out of the PD pool. If that's not good enough for her let her defend herself. She was a lawyer once wasn't she? Until she got disbarred anyway....ya might want to frisk her first just to make sure she still doesn't have any money stashed in her undergarments...

She's a lawyer, she can represent herself. What else will she have to do come January, cause we all know she won't resign before then and give up that paycheck.
Although, we all know what they say about a person representing him- or herself has a fool for a client. Still, that never stopped her before...

Unfortunately, our system allows for everyone to have representation under the law. If, after a thorough examination of all her assets it should be found she hasn't the funds to provide for her own defense we have no choice. Of course, should she be found guilty all those public funds used toward her defense could be required to be repaid as part of the judgement, particularly since her abuse of public office and taxpayer monies are at the root of the charges.

This so typical! She will get welfare one way or the other. I know, this is racial, she 's a victim of an unfair system. But the the system didn't help her get elected to the senate, it was her outstanding intelligence,and sincere caring for her community. No, I no the slavery of her great,great grandmother caused her to take the bribe????

Maybe all the church officials that stood with her and had prayer services for her could take up a collection. If she has the nerve to a court appointed attorney to help her through this, it would be yet another slap in the face to the average joe and yet another show of her bad behavior. She is such a slime ball. Where did all that money go she was stuffing into her bra? She obviously didn't buy any morals. I agree, let her sell her house, car, clothes, anything. The Sate should not have to help her, yet again. She kows every trick in the book. Hey, isn't she a lawyer??? Can't she defend herself?? Oh yes, she isn't a good lawyer and probably doesn't want to defend herself, it would be too hard!

She makes over $50k a year (my quick internet search found the legislative salary for a MA senator was $50,123 in 2002.) I wish there was a way we protest our contribution if the judge upholds her request.

I would hope all the embezzled money has been frozen or at least confiscated! I guess a good thing to come out of this latest development would be that she probably won't get off as she's not paying a high powered attorney to lie and pull strings for her....she needs to be in jail.

WHY ARE THE DOCUMENTS SEALED? IF SHE'S A PUBLIC FIGURE AND WANTS A 'PUBLIC DEFENDER' THEN THE CHARGES AND DOCUMENTS CONCERNED SHOULD MADE PUBLIC, BUT HER ARROGANT OBNOXIOUS [IS THER NAY OTHER KIND] LAWYER ISSUES A CURT AND BLUNT STATEMENT VIRTUALLY SAYING ITS NOBODY'S BUSINESS. HE'S AND IDIOT AND SO'S SHE. SHE'S ACTUALLY MORE SYMPATHETIC THAN HE IS.

This woman is a total disgrace to women and African Americans in VIP positions. I hope that they make an nice example of this poor excuse of a public servant. This isn't the first time she has been in trouble with the law. She is a common law criminal in my book and to be the 1st African American woman to be elected to the senate in this time of racial equality is an embarassment to the entire African American community.

If a regular person goes to court and asks for a court appointed attorney, the judge will consider all of your assets first. You are expected to sell or borrow against everything you own before the state will appoint an attorney for you.

She has a home, which means she has equity. She has the money to pay an attorney.

And what did happen to the embezzelment money?

I'm sure she has a nice car, too, and probably some other nice items she can pawn off.

I can't wait for the FBI to drag more of these corrupt politicians out of the state house, who's going to be next???

All politicians are crooks, if you need evidence, look at question 1. So much government resources went into fighting Q1, and as soon as it's voted down tolls go up, parking fees go up, etc.

once a thief and a moocher, always a thief and a moocher.

Unbelievable. This woman truly is shameless. God help her.

Let me get this straight - WE have to foot the bill to defend HER on corruption charges because she no longer has the money she indirectly stole from US the taxpayers? My head is spinning.

the Gap is smarter than the voters of Suffolk Co. The Gap would never let a thief like her go to work for them.

How can someone who didn't pay thier taxes have the balls to ask for a taxpayer-paid attorney?

SCUM....
Just more $$ that the taxpayers need to fun to send this loser to jail.
Lets get this strait..
"Stern had been defending Wilkerson in a petition for discipline filed by the state Office of the Bar Counsel "
and now he wants to be a court appointed lawyer, so that he can charge the state?? Whats wrong with this picture??
If she is so innocent, she can put up collateral (Home, Car, Etc). When she is found innocent (Not a chance in hell), then she can sue the state of mass...again, not a chance that will happen....but, well Ummmm it is the State of Mass, so anything is possible!

What a joke this state is. Not only is this fraud elected. She gets paid a very good salary. She doesn't pay her taxes. She has three different residences. The judge(a mass. judge...pun intended) relaxes all of the restrictions on her so she can manipulate witnesses, destroy documents. Now she cries that she can't afford the high priced attorney she wants, so she asks the state to pay for it! Are you kidding me. Where is the "If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you"? What is wrong with this state? Everyone votes no on question 1. Forget the money people would get back. Now they will raise the tolls again to pay for her O.J. legal team. Once again Massachusetts citizens will have to line up and pay more money to the state, so this low life can avoid jailtime. If it was you or me, we would be screwed. The liberals are protecting one of their own. Maybe she can get a job in one of Obama's cabinet positions.

How much more of the taxpayer's money is this lowlife going to take? I agree -- sell something or go work for McDonalds!

Check the other boob

First of all, Gap is NOT hiring, secondly (they) wouldn't want the likes of embezzling sneaks like DW to occupy valuable positions...

Thanks but NO thanks... PS- way more than T-Shirts, check out the latest Holiday line of fun sweaters, awesome outerwear and fabulous coats!!

:D

....Once again the tax-payers of the Commonwealth doing her a solid.

3 words....
Ebay.
Now.
Loser!

She would be stealing the T shirts, for sure.

I don't think anybody expected less from this despicable bottom feeder. I hope the court system has enough common sense to put her where she belongs, behind bars.

why would anyone be surprised that she is expecting the taxpayers of the Commonwealth to foot the bill for her?

Didn't see that coming *SARCASM*.

Diane - did you look under your bra? Maybe the other one.

She had to use some of that money to pay off the machine.

It doesn't start and stop with Wilklnson.

It was/is a normal everyday activity (how things get done) for some of those whom are involved in local/state/federal government.

She was just the easiest target.

What a piece of work...or piece of something...

Can anyone just say that they can't afford an attorney? How much does she make each year, what is her car worth, what is her house worth, what is in her savings or pension? This is ridiculous! She is a good for nothing and I don't want to use my hard-earned money to pay for her to lie more! Another loophole this corrupt thief has found in the system!

Check your bra Diane!

sad, very very sad.

When is this woman going to get a conscience and take responsibility for her actions? She needs to be chewed out royally by Judge Judy.

Give me a freakin break!!!! I cannot believe the audacity of this woman, she never ceases to amaze me. And why has she not stepped down from the Senate yet or an even better question, why hasn't she been forced to? This is insane, completely insane!!!
And now she can't afford a lawyer - TOO BAD!!!!!! Lock up her sorry a$$ and get her out NOW!!!

Are you kidding me? After all the money she's already stolen, they'd better stick her with that stuttering public defender from "My Cousin Vinny"!

This is her way of sticking it to us again, she is nothing but a cheating scum bag.

Just another way to cheat the taxpayers, what a scum bag

Didn't she go to Law School at BC? Maybe she can represent herself, or maybe she can't afford that either?

While she is maybe in her rights to request having a lawyer appointed for her it should be from the over worked public defenders office, not a private lawyer that she can't pay.

Are we supposed to feel bad for her that she can't afford a lawyer. I think NOT. Maybe she can get Denny Crane to do it.

too funny and pathetic to even comment

Has she checked her underwear drawer???

Beacon Hill should have tossed Dianne out years ago.

And people wonder why politicians get a bad rap...not only was she a bad steward of the people's money -- she apparently is a poor steward of her own money too!!

She is still collecting a paycheck and has a house. Has she hidden those assets in her bra too? Everyone is pushing the envelope and we taxpayers have to pay

Everyone who asks why she can't pay with her bribe money should instead ask themselves, could it be that she's not guilty? Her inability to pay for a lawyer instead of relying on a public defender, who does not work hard to defend his/her clients (it's true, it does not matter who you are), could very well be because she's not guilty and has no money. I know we love to hate people in our society, love to believe our criminal system is just (there is no justice in our system unless you have money) but at least consider that it is possible.

I think we should let the courts decide this case rather than the media and even bloggers, for that matter. Last I knew, the media wasn't part of our judicial system or even a branch of the government, even though I know the government works on behalf of corporations and not people, but that’s because we do nothing to stop them.

My guess is that Max Stern does not come cheap. Is there some set amount that the state (read: taxpayers) will pay for a lawyer or are they required to pay his regular hourly fee.

Check the Double J boulder holder Dianne!

She's a lawyer. She's makes about $50,000 per year. She took $25,000 in bribes. Screw her, it's not our job to pay for this scumbag's lawyer. She should just plead guilty.

The Gap sells inexpensive clothing through its practice of employing cheap labor via sweatshops in third world countries. In other words, the Gap is a thief of a corporation. On the other hand, Diane worked to help poor citizens of this country—communities of color—rise above the greed and racism of our American system that keeps them down.

So no, Diane is not a good candidate for a corrupt corporation such as the Gap, and proudly so.

For those who said she is a lawyer and can represent herself: her license to practice law has been suspended and she is in the process of disciplinary procedings before the bar association. If she doesn't get disbarred for what she was originally suspended for, then bribery should do it under the moral turpitude clause.

While she is technically not allowed to practice law, I don't know why she can't represent herself like other people do. All she can't do is call herself a lawyer.

Slimy, sleazy, slug-like slag. When she's not gorging on the public trough, she's a bottom feeder.

We should all be tried of this mess. There is no shame, Diane has been looking for handouts since the beginning. She need to go.

Voting yes on question 1 would have help with this free loaders.

Why am I not surprised that Wonderbra Wilkerson's hand is reaching into the taxpayer's pocket to pay for her criminal defense?

i find it interesting that dianne wilkerson cannot be found on the city of boston's assessing online page...doesn't she own a house in boston....

Hey Dianne, wait a sec, let me check under the cushions of my couch, and under the seats of my car, I may have some to help you out!

A sponsorship from Victoria's Secret's new "Bribery and Embezzlement" bra prototype ought to pay for her needed Lawyer.

To Kayla who asked: " could it be that she's not guilty?"

Are you serious? What are you smoking? What planet are you from?

You must be one of those brain dead retards who (still) support her and believes she was "framed". Ah..... I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I hear you people talk.

Those who support her are even MORE pathetic than DW.

when will it end? Let her do waht everyone else doesn.ell ehr house, take otu loans..suck it up jerko!!

Let me get this straight...she didn't feel compelled to pay taxes, but she wants the benefit of taxpayers foothing her legal bill???

Since when are the victims required to pay for the accused's attorney ?
In this instance aren"t the taxpayers the victims ?

I think the US should go through the regular process of supplying an attorney from the public defender system and let her get the same treatment any person would get.

John Barrett, yes on 1 would have done NOTHING for this situation. NOTHING. There's a pesky thing called the Constitution which guarantees you the right to counsel. Also, this is FEDERAL, not state, so again, irrelevant. Keep harping on that though, it's healthy for you.

That said, I don't believe for a minute Wilkerson doesn't have assets to cover the cost of her defense.

WELL BOO HOO.
I AM OUTRAGED.
MY GRANDSON WHO DID NOT HAVE A JOB OR ANY OTHER MEANS TO PAY FOR A LAWYER WAS TOLD HE COULDN'T
GET A COURT APPOINTED LAWYER TO DEFEND HIM ON A MINOR
CHARGE !
I HOPE I DON'T HEAR SHE GOT ONE, BECAUSE SOMEBODYS GOING TO BE
EXPLAINING THAT ONE TO THE MEDIA!
YA I'M JUST A LITTLE PISSED!!!

So Wilkerson wants to screw the taxpayers one last time on her way out. It's fitting, really.

EMAIL THE HONORABLE JUDGE!! Tell him no. It's the public's money. He should hear from the PUBLIC!!! Call Lisa Roland at 508-929-9905. This will get you to the Clerk's Office. The judicial assistant is Priscilla Collins. I'm sure she could get a message through.

Why is this being heard in WORCESTER? It's a little early to determine if she would be able to get a fair trial. What are they trying to pull now??!!

I am a resident of boston and would like to know who in the tax department I can call to make sure not one red cent of my taxes go to her defense!!
This is absolutely ridiculous!!!!! Put a lien on her property and whatever else she owns legally or illegally. We probably will be paying soon enough once she is incarcerated after being found guilty!!!!!!!!

HEY DI DI
LA LA LA LA HEY HEY GOODBY!

A lot of YAHOOS on here. Wilkerson's not right, but then again, it's part of an endemic problem.

You should check the actions of your OWN legislators before you jump up and down on the bandwagon that you are on.

You want to be angry at corporate greed and government malfeasence, check out NEIL BUSH.

Oh, and don't forget John McCain and the KEATING 7.

I feel bad for you, Dianne I know you are a nice person, sometimes evil people
make good people like you do bad things. I just hope all the bad people
who put you in this situation for once try to do the right thing. I believed what
goes around comes around. Epecially those greedy business owners. They are wrong to did that to you.

Please, can't you see the Franklins sticking out of your brassiere...

I don't feel sorry for this woman..time to pack up for prison and take the other crooks with you..that will about empty the senate and house which we don't seem to need anyway..

How many show up 5 days a week..I know one who works on her garden 3 days a week while we pay her for 5 and she ain't alone...

Why don't they run a time for Dianne to help her defense fund? They do that in Southie for people down on their luck!!

I remember getting a robo-call from Deval Patrick urging me to support Dianne in the primary elections. Under President Clinton, Patrick was an Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights (the nation's top civil rights post) working on prosecution of hate crimes, abortion clinic violence, employment discrimination, and enforcement of fair lending laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Perhaps HE will represent her! I'm sure that Dianne would tell us that she's been set-up by discriminatory, hate-motivated (read: white, 'cuz Dianne doesn't hesitate to play the race card) enemies who doubtlessly lent her money under predatory terms thereby causing her to require a public bailout.

Have you no shame????

She was a regular at the casinos in CT. I have seen here there many times(as I am regular also). And sat at tables with her before (usually hi roller) she's a pretty funny lady. Of course I would be having a good time to if I was gambling with other peoples money. Many nights at the $100/hand black jack table but I never knew who she was, she just said she was a lawyer in Boston.
Little did I know she was a shakedown artist. If I see her there again I will take a pic of her and send it to the Globe.

Read all about it folks! They are not kidding! I want to move out of this state. Where can I sign up to be a thief and get paid to steal?? Diane, I have no sympathy for you and how dare you cry poor mouth? I cannot feed my family, I have not been able to pay my bills in three months and I cannot find a job. How about a hand out for me?

Have you no bra????

stephanie: either you're kidding or stupid... yeah all those terrible people that forced her to take bribe money, dreadful!

Only in Massachusetts... What a scum bag.

Why I thought she was going to be a city of Boston employee in January. If Menino wants to pay her more than 100,000 a year she has plenty of money to pay for her own defense.

The whole point of a court appointed lawyer is just that. You don't pick your lawyer and then have the court appoint them. This lady is such a moron. Sell your condo and your car and pay your lawyer.

I smell a rat.....

Nancy, Fran , I think both of you and the company and the business you work for are ilegal you know that. I hope your turn will come someday, what you
two are doing are worse than the mob, I feel sorry for both of you. I am glad
that my sister is dating a lawyer otherwise you two just going getting away
with your greedy evil act that's all.

What shame! This person should be already in jail! The system is broken! This is mafia! I was so upset that I votes yes to the question 1 asking to cut the state budget by 40%. If we have mafiosi in the government, we need a Small Government. I cannot believe I have to stay with the Republicans!

Why do people keep saying she put the money in her bra? No one does that, except in the movies. Do you think her phone is a shoe, too? Do you think she's a female Terminator? Life is not a movie or a TV show.

Book 'em Danno!

THIS isn't the end - our heads will keep spinning as more and more
absurd B S comes from Wilkersville. In the end - which there may never be - we will have a timeline marked with innumerable dates, dollars and legal complaints that will be impossible to recite with out the use of a visual aid.

Personally I'm numb , I am no longer surprised by anything she does - I cannot FATHOM that we are still paying her $1,000/week salary and that we cannot expel her from the senate.

I'm sorry, did I say "Wonderbra Wilkerson"? I should have said Dianne "Plunderbra" Wilkerson.

theres nothing wrong with a woman using her bra as a pocket. its something i do all the time. how many others would do the same put in her shoes?