Review: Mass. House Spending On DiMasi Case 'Fair'

A lawyer hired by House Speaker Robert DeLeo to review $378,000 in legal bills incurred during an investigation of former Speaker Salvatore DiMasi has found the bills "fair and reasonable."

DeLeo asked Daniel Crane, a former president of the Massachusetts Bar Association, to perform an independent review (PDF) of the House's contract with a law firm after some House members called for a fuller accounting of the money.

Crane found the services provided by Gargiulo Rudnick, L.L.P. were needed to provide a thorough and complete response to subpoenas issued in the federal probe.

DiMasi faces federal corruption charges in connection with an alleged bid-rigging scheme. He has pleaded not guilty.

Crane was paid $13,700 for the review.