Lally Returns To The Stand In DiMasi Trial

The prosecution puts its star witness back on the stand Thursday in its corruption case against former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and two co-defendants.

After delivering devastating testimony for the government about schemes hatched to enrich DiMasi, Joseph Lally, a former sales agent for Cognos Inc., came under cross-examination.

Defense attorney Martin Weinberg established that at various times Lally had lied to his employer, his business partners, his family, the Internal Revenue Service and even federal prosecutors.

Lally has a plea deal with the federal government that calls for a recommendation of only two to three years in prison.

But to Weinberg's suggestion, the salesman was just spinning testimony for a better deal.

Lally counterpunched.

"Mr. Weinberg, the truth is that I entered into a conspiracy with these three gentlemen to commit a crime. That's the truth," Lally said.

Cross-examination resumes Thursday.