Scandals rattle Beacon Hill

Representative Robert P. Spellane, a Worcester Democrat, has been forced to explain how he was able to forgo a year's worth of payments on a $340,000 loan from a bank. The executive of the bank is a political supporter of Spellane's.

The lawmaker was also in trouble for using $50,000 of his campaign money for personal use from 2004 to 2006. He repaid his campaign $1,608.

In a settlement last year, he reimbursed $32,500 to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, and had to pay a $10,000 fine.

At left, Spellane takes the oath of office with his family by his side in 2001.

Representative Robert P. Spellane, a Worcester Democrat, has been forced to explain how he was able to forgo a year's worth of payments on a $340,000 loan from a bank. The executive of the bank is a political supporter of Spellane's. The lawmaker was also in trouble for using $50,000 of his campaign money for personal use from 2004 to 2006. He repaid his campaign $1,608. In a settlement last year, he reimbursed $32,500 to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, and had to pay a $10,000 fine. At left, Spellane takes the oath of office with his family by his side in 2001.
AP Photo/Elise Amendola