New England in brief
BOSTON
A Massachusetts doctor pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud stemming from accusations that he faked research for a dozen years in published studies that suggested after-surgery benefits from painkillers including Vioxx and Celebrex. Dr. Scott Reuben, an anesthesiologist, also agreed to repay $361,932 of research grants and forfeit assets worth at least $50,000 as penalty for his conduct during yesterday’s plea hearing at the US District Court in Boston. Federal prosecutors have recommended up to 10 years imprisonment. Sentencing is set for May 24. Prosecutors allege the former chief of acute pain at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield sought and received research grants from pharmaceutical companies but never performed the studies. His attorney says Reuben was suffering from a serious but undiagnosed bipolar disorder and had no financial motive. (AP)Murray will not seek Delahunt’s seat
Senate President Therese Murray said yesterday that she has no interest in running for the seat held by US Representative William D. Delahunt if he decides not to seek reelection. “Of course, it would always be worth considering,’’ Murray told the Globe after leaving a meeting in the State House. “It’s a privilege to serve in Congress. But I have no interest in it.’’ Murray, a Plymouth Democrat, added that she plans to seek reelection to her state Senate seat. Delahunt told the Globe this month that he has not decided whether he will seek reelection to the 10th Congressional District seat and would announce his plans next month.Key panel backs $35m loan for Lawrence
A key legislative panel is backing a bill that would allow Lawrence to balance its books with a $35 million loan. The House Ways and Means Committee recommended yesterday that the full House approve the bill. Initially, that vote was expected to be voted on tomorrow. A spokesman for House Speaker Robert DeLeo said the vote has been delayed to give House leaders more time to explain the bill, which he said has mistakenly been portrayed as a direct grant or loan from the state. The bill would allow the city to secure a loan with the state’s fiscal backing. (AP)State can get DNA sample from Markoff
A judge ruled that Massachusetts prosecutors can obtain a DNA sample from Philip Markoff, a former medical student charged with killing a masseuse he met on Craigslist. Jake Wark, a spokesman for the Suffolk district attorney, said Superior Court Judge Frank Gaziano ruled yesterday that a sample of Markoff’s DNA can be taken, but only to compare with biological evidence seized by investigators in the case. Markoff has pleaded not guilty in the fatal shooting of Julissa Brisman, of New York City, and the armed robbery four days later of a Las Vegas woman, both attacks at Boston hotels. He has also been charged in an alleged attack on a stripper in Warwick, R.I. Prosecutors say Markoff, a former Boston University medical student, met the women through Craigslist. (AP)Galluccio supporters to hold fund-raiser
Friends and family of Anthony Galluccio are holding a fund-raiser to try to help the former state senator from Cambridge who was jailed after failing a sobriety test. Galluccio’s mother, Nancy, and sister, Lissa, have sent an e-mail trying to build a crowd for tomorrow’s event at the Sheraton Commander in Cambridge. They say Galluccio accepted responsibility for an October hit-and-run accident by pleading guilty and accepting home confinement. They also say he has been undergoing alcohol abuse counseling. But they contend he has been wrongly imprisoned since Jan. 4 after he failed tests on a machine designed to make sure he was keeping sober. (AP)FRAMINGHAM
Inmate found hanged in cell dies
Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate who was discovered hanged in her cell at a Massachusetts prison. A spokeswoman for the Department of Correction said 27-year-old Jennifer Murphy was pronounced dead Sunday after being taken to a hospital from MCI-Framingham. Murphy, whose last known address was Stoneham, was serving a 3- to 4-year sentence for unarmed robbery and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. (AP)
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