DiMasi Guilty On Seven Of Nine Counts

37:56

June 15, 2011

Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi walks with his wife Deborah and other family members after leaving the Federal Courthouse in Boston, Wednesday afternoon. (AP)

After two days of deliberations, a jury Wednesday found former Mass. House Speaker Sal DiMasi guilty on seven of nine counts, including extortion and conspiracy to defraud citizens of honest services, in a federal corruption trial.

The verdict represents a stunning fall from grace for DiMasi, who spent 30 years in public service and reached the top post in the state legislature. Now, he faces a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years for using his office to help a software company win lucrative state contracts in exchange for kickbacks.

Guests:

David Frank, reporter, Mass Lawyers Weekly
David Bernstein, political reporter, Boston Phoenix
Craig Sandler, managing editor, State House News Service
Martha Bebinger, reporter, WBUR
David Boeri, reporter, WBUR

This program aired on June 15, 2011.