DiMasi defends his actions

By Globe Staff

Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, who has been indicted on corruption charges, defended his actions today, saying he had always acted on behalf of the people.

"Every decision I have ever made as the speaker or as a state representative was always made in the best interests of my constituents and of the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," he said in a statement that he read outside the federal courthouse in Boston after making an initial court appearance. "Because of the nature of the proceedings, now I will turn it over to my attorney."

DiMasi's attorney, Thomas Kiley, said DiMasi "never broke trust" with the people of his district and the state, while serving them for 30 years at the State House.

Kiley emphasized that DiMasi is now involved in a legal process "and everything we do moving forward will be geared to it."

"That means this case will not be tried in the press, or pitched to the voters. We will respond to the charges in court. And when our side of the story is told, we are confident that jurors, the public, and the voters will agree with what I said at the outset. Mr. DiMasi never broke the public trust," he said in a statement.