Chuck Turner, caught red handed taking a $1,000 bribe, says he was a victim of a “sting” and he was “set up.”
A Boston city councilor allegedly videotaped accepting a $1,000 bribe says he’s the victim of a “set-up” designed to entrap him and is planning make his case on the steps of City Hall on Monday.
Chuck Turner was arrested Friday and charged with one count of attempted extortion and two counts of making false statements for allegedly accepting cash from an undercover agent working with the FBI as part of a public corruption probe at Boston City Hall and the Massachusetts Statehouse.
“I’m calling a press conference for the press and the community to come to the steps of City Hall where I will talk in even more depth about the picture in the paper, about what I believe is going on in this, what I think is a set-up,” the outspoken five term city councilor told WHDH-TV.
Turner, free on a $50,000 unsecured bond, described his arrest as part of a “sting operation in order to try to entrap me.”
“The only recourse to protect the reputation that I have struggled to build over the last 45 years, a reputation of integrity, is to go on (the) defense,” he said.
Hey Chuck, you are absolutely correct. It was a sting, and you were set up to take the bribe, and you accepted it.
Whose fault is it that you took the bribe? It’s not the FBI. It’s not the evil white man. The onus falls on you Chuckie boy. The FBI set you up, and you took the bribe. YOU TOOK THE BRIBE.
You’re just upset you got caught.
Tags: Boston City Council, Boston City Hall, Chuck Turner, corruption
November 24th, 2008
As if losing the primary wasn’t enough, or being arrested by the FBI, or a unanimous senate resolution urging her to step down… soon-to-be former Senator Dianne Wilkerson is finally, at the very least, suspending her reelection campaign.
A solemn state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson announced today she is ending her reelection campaign following a chorus of calls for her to resign.
Her decision comes after a morning meeting with members of the city’s Ten Point Coalition and Black Ministerial Alliance who were asking the eight-term state senator to quit as she confronts corruption charges levied against her.
The clergy groups even gave Wilkerson a 15-minute deadline today to either side with them in a joint statement or face them walking out on the talks. Wilkerson ultimately agreed to end her defiant run for reelection.
“I am withdrawing from the race. We will not be doing any work on the sticker campaign,” said Wilkerson outside the Charles Street AME Church in Roxbury at about noon.
Wilkerson refused to answer any questions from the media.
Her campaign manager, Boyce Slayman, said the decision was reached for the good of the Roxbury community Wilkerson represents and for the 53-year-old senator’s family.
“This is a very difficult time for her. The decision was made … primarily for the community,” Slayman told the dozens of media members outside the church.
Primarily for the community.
It wasn’t long ago Wilkerson vowed to stick around because she is “committed to do what is in the best interest of the residents of this district.” Today, she suspends her campaign, effectively ending her career in the senate, “for the community.”
What a change of heart.
Tags: corruption, Dianne Wilkerson
October 31st, 2008
The State Senate wants Dianne Wilkerson to resign…today.
The state Senate passed a unanimous resolution this afternoon asking Democratic Senator Dianne Wilkerson to resign immediately following her arrest on charges she accepted eight bribes worth $23,500.
Lawmakers also stripped Wilkerson of her chairmanship of the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight and her committee assignments and asked the Senate Ethics Committee to explore the accusations made by the FBI after an 18-month corruption probe.
This morning before the vote, Wilkerson sent a letter to Senate President Therese Murray saying she would follow the will of the Senate. Wilkerson has not issued a public statement today, but on Wednesday she vowed to continue her write-in campaign to save the seat she has held for 15 years.
“These are very serious allegations against the senator,” Murray told reporters after the vote. “We are all upset about the taint and shadow of doubt cast upon the Senate and its members based on the allegations of one person. I want to assure the people of the Commonwealth that we are fully cooperating with law enforcement in this ongoing investigation. I’m comfortable and confident that the integrity of the senate, and my own integrity, will remain intact at the end of this ordeal.”
Fair enough, or is it?
The Massachusetts Republican Party is wondering why Jim Marzilli still gets to keep his job, and keeps receiving a paycheck.
“Today, the taxpayers of Massachusetts paid Jim Marzilli $180.10,” said MassGOP Executive Director Rob Willington.
Note: The MassGOP Called on the State Senate to expel Jim Marzilli on July 1st.
Days elapsed since Marzilli’s indictment: 121
Days until Marzilli’s pension increases: 63
Cost of Senator Marzilli per day: $180.10
Total taxpayer cost since indictment: $21,792.10
For More information, visit MarzilliWatch.com
Tags: corruption, Dianne Wilkerson, Jim Marzilli, Massachusetts Republican Party, MassGOP, Rob Willington, Senate Ethics Committee, Therese Murray
October 30th, 2008
Senator Dianne Wilkerson is still fighting for her state senate seat, meanwhile, senators are getting together to decide if she should keep her chairmanship, or kick her out of the senate all together.
Senators caucused this morning and examined whether to strip Sen. Dianne Wilkerson of her chairmanship and possibly oust her from the Senate.
Meanwhile, Gov. Deval Patrick said today Wilkerson should resign, “if the allegations are true.”
Patrick said he’s “deeply troubled” by the corruption charges levied against the eight-term state senator. “I feel personally betrayed,” he added.
Wilkerson was arrested earlier this week and charged with accepting $23,500 in bribes in exchange for passing legislation.
Sen. Michael Morrissey (D-Quincy) could move to expel Wilkerson from the Senate at today’s caucus, according to a Senate source.
Senate Ways and Means Chairman Steven Panagiotakos (D-Lowell), who also sits on the Ethics Committee, said he wasn’t sure if members will be able to force Wilkerson from the Senate.
“I think you can request her to do it, but I think you have to wait until the charges against her are settled in court to remove her from the Senate,” Panagiotakos said.
Wilkerson says this is a “test to the limit the notion of innocent until proven guilty.” Well, we are talking proven guilty, or proven guilty in a court of law? It looks pretty clear you are quite guilty, we’re just waiting for the formality of it being proven in the halls of justice.
In the court of public opinion, the verdict is in.
How’s that sticker campaign going, Ms. Wilkerson?
Tags: corruption, Deval Patrick, Dianne Wilkerson
October 30th, 2008
State Senator Dianne Wilkerson is in a bit of pickle…now having been arrested for accepting bribes.
State Senator Dianne Wilkerson was arrested this morning after an 18-month undercover investigation by Boston Police and the FBI in which she allegedly accepted eight bribes worth $23,500.
The 15-year Democratic lawmaker allegedly accepted cash payoffs that ranged from $500 to $10,000 to help a nightclub secure a liquor license and to assist a private developer who wanted to build on state land. Wilkerson allegedly tried to influence legislation in the state Senate as recently as last week to help the developer in the Crosstown section of Roxbury, near the intersection of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue.
The probe included one cooperating witness and at least two undercover FBI agents. Investigators made audio and video recordings and took still photographs of Wilkerson allegedly accepting cash payoffs starting in June 2007 and continuing through this month.
One series of photographs displayed by federal authorities at a press conference this morning show Wilkerson allegedly stuffing a $1,000 payoff into her bra during a meeting with an informant at No. 9 Park restaurant that was surreptitiously recorded with audio and video. The 10 $100 bills were not in an envelope and clearly visible in the photograph dated June 18, 2007.
According to a 32-page affidavit, Wilkerson also brought along a grandchild when she accepted a $1,000 kickback on Aug. 31, 2007, at the Fill-A-Buster restaurant, which is directly across the street from the State House.
“Public service is a privilege. Voters and taxpayers expect that elected officials will do what is right for their constituents, not what is financially best for themselves,” US Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said this morning at the press conference. “Citizens place extraordinary trust in those it gives the greatest authority. And with that authority comes the obligation to act with fairness and honesty.”
Wilkerson is expected to be arraigned this afternoon in US District Court in Boston. She faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted with more potential charges pending.
Wilkerson’s campaign manager Boyce Slayman confirmed that Wilkerson was led away in handcuffs.
The Massachusetts Republican Party issued the following statement in response to Wilkerson’s arrest. “The Massachusetts Democratic party has become a haven for criminals and corruption,” said MassGOP Executive Director Robert Willington. “This is not the Government that the people of Massachusetts deserve, and it is certainly not what the people want. Beacon Hill is broken, and full of lawmakers who simply want to tax and spend, when they’re not taking bribes or getting sweetheart deals from their friends. The choice for voters is clear: throw the corrupt Democrats out. Only then can we restore confidence in our Government.”
PolitickerMA.com is keeping an eye on this story.
Tags: corruption, Dianne Wilkerson, Massachusetts Republican Party, Robert Willington
October 28th, 2008
It’s time to expose the hypocrisy!
Corrupt Democrats, watch out! When Democrats made “ethics” the centerpiece of their 2006 campaign, Hub Politics‘ own Matt Margolis knew the public wasn’t getting the whole story. That is, until now!
In his new release, Caucus of Corruption: The Truth about the New Democratic Majority, Margolis and fellow blogger Mark Noonan expose the shocking dirty secrets Democrats don’t want you to know—and that will be sure to outrage the nation.
As Mark Twain once wrote, “America has no criminal class, except Congress.” Margolis and Noonan solidify this statement and much more in their definitive source on Democratic dirty deeds, Caucus of Corruption—a must-read for conservatives, political junkies, and everyone concerned about the dubious ethics and shady goals of the new Democratic majority.
Caucus of Corruption: The Truth about the New Democratic Majority is now available through your favorite outlets:
Tags: Caucus of Corruption, corruption, Mark Noonan, Matt Margolis
May 8th, 2007
This article was authored by Barbara Anderson, a Marblehead resident and executive director of Citizens for Limited Taxation, and appears in today’s edition of the Salem News.
I’ll tell you up front, I am not in a good mood.
I can match my self-confidence with anyone’s, but it’s been one of those weeks when I keep facing the things I don’t know.
For instance, I didn’t know that the Olympics were a disappointment, as most commentators insist. I thought they were amazing: Athletes flying, leaping, spinning, and performing through injury and personal loss. And Bode Miller self-destructing was simply a lesson for other aspiring champions.
Someone asked me: How can diet soda have no calories, no carbohydrates, no caffeine, no fat, and still exist? I don’t know.
Then someone else asked me what I think of letting the United Arab Emirates run our ports. This seemed more important than the soft-drink thing, so I spent the weekend reading, watching and listening to “experts” on both sides of the controversial issue, and I still don’t know. Nothing anyone is saying makes sense, or gets me past that gut instinct shared by many Americans that this is not a good idea.
I get the global economy thing, but I also recognize when politicians and pundits are dancing the hummahumma all over the stage while singing off-key, “Yes, the UAE is 96-percent Muslim, and we seem to be in a holy war with some Muslims, but these ones are our allies, and besides they are a state-run business, not a religion, and their workers aren’t Muslim, but Americans, and besides they only rent part of the ports, like you rent one apartment in a building, though in some places they actually run the whole thing, hummahumma, but don’t worry, the U.S. Coast Guard is in charge of security.”
That last is reassuring, since I recall the Coast Guard as the most effective entity in New Orleans last year. But I just read about policemen who sometimes don’t impound the cars of unlicensed drivers because they’d have to confront the illegal immigrant problem, which the Bush administration won’t address. So can we be blamed for not trusting the same “What borders?” administration on the port issue? Then throw in the hypocritical Democrats who suddenly want to profile Muslims at seaports — the same ones who can’t be profiled at airports — and an ordinary citizen just wants to duck and seek cover.
What really has shaken my usual confidence, however, is reading Howie Carr’s “The Brothers Bulger.” I knew bits and pieces of what was going on all around me, but until I found it in this cohesive, 332-page format, I didn’t really see the big picture of the giant outrage that was Massachusetts for 25 years.
I am not in the book, but I can see myself there, along with other activists, more naive than we thought, working on issues that were never on the level, with politicians who were rarely what they seemed. The cynicism I thought I had painfully acquired was simply not adequate for the reality of Massachusetts. If you too want to “get it,” read this book.
Never had a major problem with Bill Bulger myself; he was good on education choice, and Proposition 21/2 wasn’t attacked by him as it occasionally was by Dukakis and the House. I defended him publicly on occasion, and though we had some bitter public battles on legislative reform, I never was threatened by his brother as Howie says some opponents were.
Howie writes that “the budgetary constraints imposed by Proposition 21/2 gave Billy an opportunity to run the Senate with an iron hand.” I’m not sure I see his point. Bulger seemed able to turn almost anything to his advantage, and certainly higher property taxes wouldn’t have slowed down the patronage — but it’s a startling thought nevertheless. The scariest part of the book, however, is not the Bulgers but the then-corrupt Boston FBI. Reading it won’t make anyone feel more secure about the federal government’s ability to deal with terrorism.
But the Bulger era is behind us now. This week we are dealing with normal politics as we await Christy Mihos’ decision on whether to run as a Republican or an Independent. I met with him and his charming wife, discussed the subject with Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and several Republican leaders, and thanked Matt and Aaron Margolis for their efforts, on their Web site, hubpolitics.com., to get pledges from delegates to reassure Christy that he will get his chance at the Republican convention.
Mihos will be making his decision after my deadline, but I predict that he will run as a Republican rather than split the taxpayer vote and turn Massachusetts over to all Democrats, all the time. I hope he is reading Howie’s book. Though Republican administrations aren’t its heroes, they didn’t create the problems they didn’t address, and things can always get worse.
I may not know for sure about the port issue, or see corruption without some help from my more cynical friends; I can only wonder what problems the remaining ingredients in diet soda could cause. But I do know we can’t afford another Democratic governor in a state that is already sliding down the hill, in a country that is feeling generally insecure.
Tags: Barbara Anderson, Christy Mihos, corruption, Howie Carr, The Brothers Bulger
March 2nd, 2006
