Current Speaker Robert DeLeo rejected the notion that the trial pointed to deeper problems at the Statehouse.
Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, second left, listens as his attorney Thomas Kiley, left, speaks to the media outside the Federal courthouse in Boston, Wednesday, after his conviction on conspiracy and other charges.BOSTON – The conviction of former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi on federal corruption charges sparked a range of emotions from the state’s top political figures Wednesday, from anger and sadness to a touch of defiance.
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, who succeeded DiMasi as the Democratic leader of the Massachusetts House, called the conviction “deeply troubling” and a powerful blow to the public’s trust in government.
But DeLeo rejected the idea that the trial pointed to deeper problems at the Statehouse, saying lawmakers have worked to toughen ethics laws.
Speaking to reporters after the conviction, U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said “the culture of corruption on the Hill has been dealt another blow.”
DeLeo said he couldn’t imagine anything more damaging than the idea that DiMasi’s conviction for conspiracy, fraud and extortion, was par for the course on Beacon Hill.
“This was definitely not business as usual and it is a slur on every hardworking public servant to suggest otherwise,” said DeLeo, who served as the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee under DiMasi.
Gov. Deval L. Patrick called DiMasi’s conviction “the end of a very disappointing chapter.”
Patrick, also a Democrat, testified during the trial that DiMasi pressed him to approve a software contract that prosecutors allege was part of the kickback scheme.
Neither the governor nor his administration was accused of wrongdoing, but critics faulted Patrick for being too willing to cater to DiMasi’s wishes in the hopes that the speaker, in turn, would accede to his agenda.
Patrick tried to distance himself from DiMasi Wednesday saying “the work my team does has consistently been of the highest integrity, and mindful that we work for the general public, and not for ourselves.”
Asked if changes need to be made at the Statehouse as a result of the conviction, Patrick said “we’re still human beings who work here.”
Senate President Therese Murray, also a Democrat, called Wednesday a “sad day” for Massachusetts, and said the actions of one person should not cast a shadow over the entire Legislature.
Republicans took a tougher tone.
U.S. Sen. Scott P. Brown said he applauded the jury for “sending a message that the business-as-usual, go-along-to-get-along mentality in Massachusetts politics will not be tolerated.”
“The facts of this case should be disturbing to everyone who rightly wants and expects honest service from their elected officials,” Brown said.
House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones called the conviction “another dark day for politics in Massachusetts.”
“The verdict that was handed down by a jury of peers is certainly a black-eye on Beacon Hill. This is another example of the continuing problems that we can lay at the doorstep of one-party politics,” said Jones, R-North Reading.
Democrats hold every statewide office and overwhelming majorities in the Massachusetts House and Senate.