Gov. Creates Ethics Reforms After Wilkerson Scandal

Gov. Deval Patrick has announced a series of ethics and lobbying reforms, hours after state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson ended her write-in campaign for re-election.

Patrick said Friday he would create an ethics and lobbying reform panel headed by his chief legal counsel, Ben Clements.

The commission will report back to the governor in 60 days with a list of ideas to reform Beacon Hill.

The governor also called on members of the public to take on incumbents and volunteer for public service.

But he said he was justified in supporting Wilkerson despite her prior federal tax conviction and numerous other problems, because she was the first to support his campaign for governor.

Wilkerson is accused of accepting $23,500 in bribes from undercover agents she believed were businessmen.