For lawmakers, 'another black stain for Beacon Hill'

Sal DiMasi had been indicted by a federal grand jury.

"It's another black stain for Beacon Hill," said Representative David Torrisi, a Democrat from North Andover. "It's a brazen abuse of power that is not a real reflection of 95 percent of my colleagues."

Governor Deval Patrick, who had a sometimes rocky relationship with the former House speaker from the North End, called the indictment "deeply disturbing to me personally, and I think to all the people of the Commonwealth."

The indictment compiled by US prosecutors paints a revealing picture of how business is conducted on Beacon Hill, one in which the 200-member Legislature and the governor's office can be easily swayed by one person with a powerful perch.

The speaker asked a lawmaker, Representative Robert Coughlin, to file an amendment with specific language, and he did, according to the indictment. The rest of the House and the Senate went along. DiMasi and his staff pressured administration officials to award computer contracts to a specific vendor that was paying tens of thousands of dollars to DiMasi - Cognos ULC - and the administration eventually complied, the indictment said.

"We all have to acknowledge how deeply troubling these allegations are," said the governor, speaking to reporters last night. "Meanwhile, all of us who work in this building have got to redouble our efforts to restore the public's confidence in . . . state government's ability to do the public's business, the people's business - appropriately, and with integrity every day and in every decision."

Patrick declined to take any questions. Coughlin did not return a phone call last night.

DiMasi's indictment yesterday followed a long investigation of him and his colleagues that began with a series of Globe stories last year. It also followed a separate scandal marked by the arrest last year of former state senator Dianne Wilkerson, who is facing bribery charges. Several lawmakers called yesterday for renewed efforts at strengthening state ethics rules, even as they said no legislation could prevent a lawmaker from taking money for legislation.

"I am saddened and disappointed by today's news. These events underscore the pressing need to restore faith and trust in government," House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said in a statement. "Because these matters are now before the court, we will not be providing any further comment - including any on specific facts - until that process is complete."

Senate President Therese Murray issued a statement through her spokesman.

"These are troubling and serious charges that are now solely in the hands of the judicial system," Murray's spokesman, David Falcone, said in a statement. "For that reason, we will not have any further comment until the legal process is completed."

Meanwhile, Massachusetts Republicans vowed to use DiMasi's departure as a campaign theme by "making household names out of the 135 Democrats who voted to reelect Sal DiMasi as speaker in January."

"Every House member who supported DiMasi will be called out for endorsing his corrupt leadership," said Mass GOP chairwoman Jennifer A. Nassour. "It is time, once again, to clean up the mess on Beacon Hill by electing new legislators who are committed to small government, lower taxes, and finally ending the culture of corruption and waste."

Multiple lawmakers also declined to comment, staying away from an episode that has stirred public ire against the State House culture.

"It's a significant blow to the institution of the House. It's very, very bad," said one Democratic lawmaker. "This is no different than Dianne Wilkerson stuffing cash in her bra. People feel like this is a body blow."

Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.