Sen. Wilkerson Indicted On Attempted Extortion

Boston state Senator Dianne Wilkerson's colleagues are again calling for her resignation, after she was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on eight counts of attempted extortion.

WBUR's Abigail Beshkin has details.

The indictments come after an 18-month undercover investigation, during which Wilkerson allegedly took more than $23,000 in bribes.

Authorities say Wilkerson believed she was receiving cash from businessmen, in exchange for help in securing a liquor license and supporting a development in Roxbury. The business men turned out to be undercover FBI agents.

If convicted, Wilkerson faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of attempted extortion.

Meantime, Wilkerson says she can't afford a lawyer. She's asking the courts to name her current lawyer as a court-appointed attorney.