Federal prosecutor Anthony Fuller said DiMasi violated his duty of providing honest services to the people of Massachusetts and in so doing, violated federal law.
Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi arrives at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse accompanied by his wife, Debbie DiMasi, earlier this month.BOSTON – Closing arguments are under way in the corruption trial of former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and two associates.
Federal prosecutor Anthony Fuller told jurors on Friday not to “abandon their common sense” as they review the evidence.
Fuller says DiMasi violated his duty of providing honest services to the people of Massachusetts and in so doing, violated federal law.
DiMasi, Richard McDonough and Richard Vitale are charged with scheming to use DiMasi’s power as speaker to steer two state contracts worth a combined $17.5 million to the software firm Cognos in exchange for payments, with DiMasi pocketing $65,000.
Defense lawyers claim payments to DiMasi were referral fees and those to McDonough and Vitale legitimate lobbyist or consulting fees. They will present their closing arguments later in the day.
More details coming on MassLive and in The Republican.