Ex-Mass. Senator: Black Ministers Reported Me To Feds

March 11, 2011

The Associated Press

A former Massachusetts state senator convicted of corruption says two black ministers were FBI collaborators against her.

Dianne Wilkerson, scheduled Friday to report to federal prison in Danbury, Conn., said at a forum last weekend that Rev. Ray Hammond of Bethel AME Church and Bishop Gideon Thompson of Jubilee Christian Church reported her to federal agents. She also accused Darnell Williams, Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts president, of saying she was under investigation before her arrest.

The Dorchester Reporter first reported the comments. A video of her speech also was posted on UStream.

Wilkerson, once the state's highest ranking black politician, pleaded guilty to accepting $23,500 in bribes and was sentenced in January to 3 1/2 years in prison.

In a statement, Hammond, Thompson, and Williams called Wilkerson's charges untrue.

Earlier Coverage:

Ex-State Sen. Wilkerson: ‘I’ll Get Through This’

This program aired on March 11, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.