DiMasi orders ethics probe into alleged lawmaker threat

BOSTON—House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi is ordering an investigation into the allegation by a House lawmaker that she was threatened by another lawmaker during last week's budget debate.

Rep. Jennifer Callahan said a male representative approached her Thursday and started a casual conversation about a health care amendment she discussed earlier in the week.

Callahan, a Democrat from Sutton, said the tone then quickly changed and the representative said he could "really hurt you if I wanted too."

Callahan has refused to publicly identify the lawmaker.

DiMasi filed an order authorizing the Committee on Ethics to investigate the incident.

Matters referred to the Ethics Committee are confidential.