Turner Will Fight To Keep Council Seat

Convicted Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner will be able to attend the meeting that could decide his fate on the city council.

Council president Michael Ross says he is calling a meeting on Dec. 1, the earliest opportunity for all 13 council members to be present.

"Never before has the city council contemplated the removal of a member, and this a very — of course — a very serious and important vote," Ross said, "so I believe all members of the city council need to be seated."

According to Ross, Turner asked him not to hold the meeting until after his sentencing in January, but council rules require a meeting following a felony conviction.

Turner hopes to keep his seat on the council.

"I've been working with the city councilors for two years with this hanging over my head," Turner said, "and no one has ever said that my work has been impaired in any way by that."

Turner was convicted last week of attempted extortion and lying to federal agents about a $1,000 bribe he took.

"To allow me to finish the term I think is a reasonable request," Turner said. "And because it's a reasonable request, I think it will get reasonable consideration."