Ex-Mass. Probation Chief Faces Conspiracy Trial

The former commissioner of the Massachusetts Probation Department is set to go on trial in an alleged scheme to land his wife a job with the state lottery.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in John O'Brien's trial in Suffolk Superior Court.

State prosecutors say O'Brien conspired to organize a 2005 fundraiser for then-state Treasurer Timothy Cahill, in exchange for the lottery — which was overseen by the treasurer's office — hiring O'Brien's wife.

Scott Campbell, who was Cahill's chief-of-staff, has also been charged in the case but will be tried separately.

O'Brien also faces unrelated federal charges of racketeering and mail fraud in connection with what authorities have called a rigged hiring system at the probation department.