DiMasi Asks For Delay In Reporting To Prison

Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi has asked a judge to put off the day he must begin serving his sentence on corruption charges so his lawyers can have more time to prepare arguments on why he should remain free while his appeal is pending.

DiMasi is scheduled to report to prison Nov. 16. He was sentenced to eight years for using his political clout to steer state contracts to a software firm in exchange for kickbacks.

In a motion filed Friday, DiMasi and co-defendant Richard McDonough asked that a Sept. 23 hearing on their request to stay free pending appeal be delayed until they get trial transcripts to use at the hearing and in appeals. Both asked a judge to put their surrender on hold until the hearing is held.