DiMasi Attorney Previews Defense

By Fred Thys
Jun 17, 2009, 3:24 PM
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Former House Speaker Sal DiMasi, after appearing Wednesday in federal court for a pre-trial conference. DiMasi, along with three associates, is accused of taking almost $60,000 in payments from a software company he helped land a lucrative state contract.

Former House Speaker Sal DiMasi, after appearing Wednesday in federal court for a pre-trial conference. (Fred Thys/WBUR)

Former House Speaker Sal DiMasi appeared in federal court in South Boston Wednesday, as prosecutors and defense attorneys met for a pre-trial conference.

DiMasi and three co-defendants are accused of giving a software company, Cognos, a lucrative state contract, and making sure DiMasi got paid monthly by Cognos.

As DiMasi came out of the courthouse, his attorney, Tom Kiley, gave reporters a preview of the defense.

He explained that DiMasi did not break state law, and therefore should not be prosecuted by the federal government.

“The actions of these defendants fully conformed to state law,” Kiley said.

Kiley said he would try to get the judge to throw the case out before the trial.