Motion seeks to silence Turner about bribery case

(Globe file photo)

In November, City Councilor Chuck Turner blasted the government's bribery case against him during a fiery rally outside City Hall.

By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff

Federal prosecutors today urged a judge to issue a protective order that would prohibit City Councilor Chuck Turner from talking about evidence and witnesses that the government is relying on to prosecute him on charges involving his alleged acceptance of a $1000 bribe.

In motions filed in US District Court here and here, prosecutors said that Turner's co-defendant, former state Senator Dianne Wilkerson, has agreed not to disclose evidence that prosecutors plan to turn over to defense lawyers prior to trial. The material includes FBI tapes of conversations involving alleged bribes to her and Turner, grand jury testimony, and private information about witnesses.

Turner has repeatedly attacked the government's case during public rallies and press conferences and won't agree to keep the evidence secret, prosecutors said. Turner's lawyer, Barry P. Wilson, could not be reached for comment.

Assistant US Attorney John T. McNeil argued in his motion that Turner is likely to "selectively" release evidence to the public, causing "substantial negative impacts on the administration of justice in this matter, as well as on Ms. Wilkerson's right to a fair trial'' unless a protective order is issued.

"Among other things, witnesses may be indirectly intimidated from testifying, witnesses may be influenced to alter their testimony, prospective jurors may be unfairly influenced, persons whose names appeared in the investigation but who have not been charged may be unfairly exposed, personal privacy information of witnesses and the co-defendant may be released, and grand jury material may be released," McNeil wrote.

Turner and Wilkerson pleaded not guilty last month to conspiracy and extortion charges. Turner is a member of the Green-Rainbow Party who has served in the City Council since 2000, representing portions of Roxbury, the Fenway, South End, and Dorchester. He is accused of taking a $1,000 bribe in August 2007 from a Roxbury nightclub owner who was secretly cooperating with the FBI.

Wilkerson is a Roxbury Democrat who resigned her Senate seat of 15 years in the wake of her October arrest. She is accused of accepting $23,500 in bribes from the same nightclub owner and undercover FBI agents to help secure a liquor license in her district and to push legislation paving the way for a Roxbury development.

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