Former Sen. Wilkerson arraigned on bribe-taking charges

By Jonathan Saltzman, Globe Staff

Former state senator Dianne Wilkerson pleaded not guilty today in federal court in Boston to 23 additional fraud charges stemming from her alleged role in an extortion scheme that led to her resignation.

Wilkerson appeared before US Magistrate Judge Timothy S. Hillman on charges that were added in an indictment last month to nine charges for which she had already been arraigned.

The Roxbury Democrat resigned in November following her original indictment, which accused her of accepting eight bribes totaling $23,500 to secure a liquor license for a nightclub and legislation to pave the way for a commercial development in Roxbury.

Her lawyer, Max Stern, had no comment.

No new charges were lodged against Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner, who is accused of extortion in a cash-for-influence scheme. He was allegedly captured on camera accepting a $1,000 cash bribe from a businessman seeking a Boston liquor license and then lying to FBI agents about it.

Turner also appeared at the arraignment today and pleaded not guilty to the previous corruption charges. The next hearing in the case was scheduled for May 27.