Advertisement

Ex-Speaker DiMasi Asks Judge For Compassion

Ex-Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, during his sentencing hearing Thursday (Margaret Small for WBUR)
Ex-Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, during his sentencing hearing Thursday (Margaret Small for WBUR)

Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi says he is a "broken man" who has lost everything that he worked for in his life.

DiMasi made an impassioned plea Thursday to U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf to spare him a lengthy prison sentence. He also asked to remain free while appealing his conviction.

Federal prosecutors are seeking a 12 1/2 year sentence for DiMasi, convicted in June of using his clout as speaker to steer two lucrative state contracts to a software firm in exchange for kickbacks.

DiMasi did not admit guilt in the case, but said he's sorry for mistakes he made, for the pain he brought to his family and the disgrace he brought to an institution — the Legislature — that he loved.

Wolf will sentence DiMasi and co-defendant Richard McDonough on Friday.

This article was originally published on September 08, 2011.

This program aired on September 8, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close