DiMasi's Former Chief Of Staff: Speaker Never Pushed Contracts

Jurors on Tuesday heard testimony from the former chief of staff of former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.

The chief of staff, Maryann Calia, testified that DiMasi never pushed software contracts for the Burlington firm Cognos.

"[She said he] talked about the software product as an important one, an important tool for the government, but never was at a pushing, it was not a high level of priority for him," reported WBUR's David Boeri from federal courthouse.

Federal prosecutors allege that DiMasi pushed the software contracts through the Legislature in exchange for kickbacks.

During cross-examination, the prosecution briskly offset Calia's testimony.

"Did [DiMasi] ever tell you he was getting attorney's fees from Cognos?"

"No," Calia replied.

Defense lawyers could rest their case as early as Wednesday. Judge Mark Wolf told jurors to expect closing arguments on Friday.