Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi was convicted Wednesday on corruption charges. Here is what our readers are saying about it.
Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, right, walks with his wife Deborah and other family members after leaving the Federal courthouse in Boston, Wednesday after his conviction on conspiracy and other charges in a scheme to steer two state contracts worth $17.5 million to a software firm in exchange for payments. BOSTON (AP) – U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf scheduled sentencing for Aug. 18 following the conviction of former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and an associate on corruption charges.
DiMasi was convicted Wednesday in a scheme to steer two state contracts worth $17.5 million to a software firm in exchange for payments to the powerful lawmaker and two of his close friends.
Wolf allowed DiMasi to remain free until then, with the provision that he cannot leave New England.
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.”
The MassLive.com readers took a variety of stances on the issue. Here is what some of you had to say:
whoknows1 says: No one is questioning Mr DiMasi's service - He was found guilty for breaching that trust. His record as a legislator was not on trial, his corruption was!
gorgon67 says: Three Massachusetts House Speakers indicted in a row. All Democrats.
wally01057 says: Take a bite out of crime. Vote Republican.
chase718 says: So you are saying that only democratic pols are corrupt. Read all history, not just recent history. Let me know what you find.
shotinthedark says: Is the state still providing him with his pension? I understand the taxpayers funded his defense.
CommanderKor says: We have an old Klingon saying: "It is difficult to steal when you have no hands." Think about it, puny humans.
What do you think? Is DiMasi just one part of a larger "culture of corruption" in the Bay State? Does the problem exist solely within the Democratic Party in Massachusetts? Chime in below and join the conversation.