The government alleges DiMasi was bribed to use his clout to assure that a software firm would receive $17.5 million in contracts.
BOSTON (AP) — The judge presiding over the federal public corruption case against former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and two associates is giving final instructions to the jury.
U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf said Monday in this case the key question is whether the government has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that there were payments made in exchange for official acts.
The government alleges DiMasi used his clout to assure that software firm Cognos received two state contracts worth a combined $17.5 million in exchange for payments, with DiMasi pocketing $65,000. Two DiMasi associates, Richard McDonough and Richard Vitale, allegedly received thousands of dollars as part of the scheme.
The defense argues the government's case is "built on a foundation of quicksand" because it relies heavily on the testimony of former software salesman Joseph Lally.