Wilkerson To Be Arraigned in Federal Court

Former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson is scheduled to appear in federal court for an arraignment and bail review.

Wilkerson has a hearing on Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Boston.

Wilkerson, a Boston Democrat, was indicted last month on eight counts of attempted extortion for allegedly accepting $23,500 in bribes from undercover agents she thought were businessmen looking for help in getting liquor licenses or development advantages.

She has denied the allegations.

Federal authorities have surveillance of her putting the alleged bribe money under her sweater.

If convicted, Wilkerson faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each of the eight charges.