Wilkerson facing corruption charges
Boston Business Journal
State Sen. Diane Wilkerson was hauled into federal court Tuesday afternoon to begin the process of answering to public corruption charges hours after being arrested following an 18-month investigation that included agents photographing her stuffing alleged cash bribes into her bra at a Beacon Hill restaurant.
Wilkerson was charged with taking more than $20,000 in cash over several occasions in return for filing legislation in the state Senate. The 53-year-old Roxbury Democrat and convicted tax-cheat narrowly lost her primary and is waging a write-in campaign for the state Senate seat she has held for 10 years.
After Wilkerson's court appearance, her lawyer said the embattled politician would defend herself at a trial.
“Public service is an honor,” U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan said following Wilkerson’s arrest. “Voters and taxpayers expect that elected officials will do what is right for their constituents — not what is financially best for themselves.”
“The allegations against Sen. Wilkerson are unconscionable, and the citizens of the Commonwealth deserve honest and faithful services of their elected representatives — uncompromised by secret payments of cash,” he added in a prepared statement.
Warren T. Bamford, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston field office, said, “The FBI will not cease in our efforts to combat public corruption at every level. I thank the men and women of the FBI, USAO, and our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to bring this case forward.”
According to the criminal complaint charging Wilkerson, law enforcement officials first were told in spring 2007 that Wilkerson was taking bribes.
The FBI and Boston police launched an investigation. Among the resulting charges:
• Between June 2007 and March 2008, Wilkerson accepted $8,500 in cash to help a Roxbury nightclub get a liquor license.
• In early 2008, Wilkerson took $5,000 to help give a state-owned parcel to a private developer.
• In September 2008, Wilkerson took $10,000 to help another developer and as recently as last week was helping the developer with the Boston Redevelopment Authority.
If convicted, Wilkerson could face years in prison and substantial fines.
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