A speaker's fall
(John Bohn / Globe File Photo)
Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi resigned under scrutiny for alleged ethics violations, and was indicted by a federal grand jury following an investigation of influence-peddling involving his close friends. He leaves behind a legacy on Beacon Hill that includes defense of gay marriage, opposition to casinos, and a major hand in the state's landmark health-care law. Read the Globe stories below that led up to his resignation.
A brief history
of DiMasi's career
1979 -- Elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives
2001 -- Chosen as House majority leader
2004 -- Chosen as speaker of the House
2006 -- The state approves a landmark health-care legislation, which DiMasi helped create
2007 -- DiMasi helps block a measure that would have put a gay marriage ban on the 2008 ballot
2008 -- The DiMasi-led House rejects Governor Patrick's casino plan for the state
2009 -- DiMasi announces he will step down following a series of Globe stories that raise ethics questions about his actions as speaker
2009 -- A federal grand jury indicts DiMasi and three associates
2001 -- Chosen as House majority leader
2004 -- Chosen as speaker of the House
2006 -- The state approves a landmark health-care legislation, which DiMasi helped create
2007 -- DiMasi helps block a measure that would have put a gay marriage ban on the 2008 ballot
2008 -- The DiMasi-led House rejects Governor Patrick's casino plan for the state
2009 -- DiMasi announces he will step down following a series of Globe stories that raise ethics questions about his actions as speaker
2009 -- A federal grand jury indicts DiMasi and three associates
Case against DiMasi grows
Federal prosecutors allege that former House speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi had a secret financial interest in a real estate firm that managed a signature state office building. (Boston Globe, 10/13/09)
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Former Massachusetts House speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi and three associates allegedly orchestrated a scheme in which DiMasi received thousands of dollars from a software company. (Boston Globe, 6/03/09)
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- 'Another black stain for Beacon Hill' | Graphic
- In the North End, shock and disbelief over Dimasi
- Power held by speaker blamed as a key factor
- PDF Read the indictment | Video US Attorney on DiMasi
- Gallery Recent scandals that rattled Beacon Hill
DiMasi connected to improper
awarding of state software contract
The state inspector general found software company Cognos was improperly awarded a $13 million contract in an unusually rushed deal in which House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi had an active interest. (By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff, 3/10/08)
- 3/24/08 Software firm gave to DiMasi charity, golf event
- 7/23/08 Software firm paid fees to DiMasi friend
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Ticket brokers hired Richard Vitale (left) to lobby for them. Shortly afterwards, a favorable bill sailed through the House of Representatives. (By Andrea Estes and Stephen Kurkjian, 4/27/08)
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Friends gained as DiMasi rose
The lobbying income of three of DiMasi's closest friends shot up between 82 and 274 percent after he became speaker in 2004. (By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff, 10/5/08)
DiMasi ally indicted in lobbying case
DiMasi's personal accountant and close friend, Richard Vitale, was indicted on allegations that he repeatedly lobbied DiMasi on behalf of state ticket brokers without disclosing his activities. (By Andrea Estes and Matt Viser, Globe Staff, 12/19/08)
Vitale paid off debt for DiMasi relatives
Richard Vitale, DiMasi's friend and former accountant, paid off $7,500 in legal debts accumulated by DiMasi's in-laws. (By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff, 1/22/09)
DiMasi says he will resign
The embattled House speaker said he will step down amid increasing scrutiny over the ethics charges levied against him. (By Frank Phillips, Globe Staff, 1/26/09)
DiMasi bids farewell
In a wistful and jocular speech, DiMasi recounted his 30 years as a legislator in saying goodbye to the House of Representatives. (By Matt Viser and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff, 1/27/09)