DiMasi is accused in a bid-rigging scheme in which he allegedly pocketed nearly $60,000, according to federal prosecutors.
Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, shown here in a file photo leaving federal court in Boston, is on trial for corruption charges. Jury selection is scheduled to get underway in Boston Tuesday.BOSTON (AP) — Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi is set to go on trial in a bid-rigging scheme that allegedly pocketed him tens of thousands of dollars.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday in federal court in Boston, but opening statements aren't expected until next week.
DiMasi and two others -- Joseph McDonough and Richard Vitale -- have pleaded not guilty to charges that they schemed to rig lucrative state contracts for the software company Cognos in exchange for payments. DiMasi is accused of pocketing $57,000.
Joseph Lally, a fourth man charged in the scheme, cut a deal with prosecutors and is expected to testify against the others.
The list of potential witnesses in the case reads like a Who's Who in Massachusetts politics, including Gov. Deval L. Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and DiMasi's successor, House Speaker Robert DeLeo.