Dianne Wilkerson reported to federal prison in Danbury, Conn. on Friday to fulfill her 3.5-year sentence from a bribery conviction. But, she didn't go quietly. Last week, Wilkerson told the Herald she was "set up" by the government. She also used "The Attack on Black Leadership" forum last week to accuse Rev. Ray Hammond of Bethel AME Church and Bishop Gideon Thompson of Jubilee Christian Church of collaborating with the FBI against her. She also alleged Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts president Darnell Williams advised people to avoid Wilkerson due to the investigation on her.
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Somerville catches Obama Fever, since the President-elect spent his Harvard Law days in Winter Hill. [Boston Herald]
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Results tagged “diannewilkerson”
While the NFL delayed a decision on its contract squabble with the players, local businesses on Route 1 in Foxboro are also concerned about a possible lockout. Theodor Seuss Geisel otherwise known as Dr. Seuss, was born in Springfield on March 2, 1904. The Springfield Museums celebrated his birthday today. Boston's harsh winter is on hiatus this weekend as we experience milder temperatures. Remember to follow Bostonist on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
According to WCVB, Dianne Wilkerson was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison after pleading guilty in June to eight counts of attempted extortion.
Koffi Gbikpi, 45, of Brookline posed as a priest and allegedly tried to swindle money from banks. He was charged with one count of uttering a false instrument and one count of forgery. He was held on $50,000 bail and must give up his passport.
Dozens of drunk drivers, including David Cassidy, were arrested over the Thanksgiving weekend
-- Dianne Wilkerson pleaded guilty to eight counts of attempted extortion and faces up to four years in prison. [Globe]
-- One ton of marijuana was found Wednesday in Dorchester. Felix Baez-Soto, 40, was held on $1 million bail. A ton of pot is apparently worth $5 million. [Globe, Herald]
So, StoneTurn, the Boston-based computer forensics, has had a pass at Michael Kineavy's second computer, and the results, which were posted on the city of Boston's website were less than revealing. Approximately 740 new e-mails were made public, but most of them were essentially blank, retaining only the e-mail header. The newest release of e-mails reportedly did not contain e-mails submitted to federal investigators in connection with the Dianne Wilkerson corruption investigation.
Dianne Wilkerson plead not guilty today to new charges of accepting bribes for playing a role in a development deal. Wilkerson resigned her state senate seat last fall after bribery chargers were made. Councilman Chuck Turner, also pleading not guilty to bribery charges, appeared in court with Wilkerson today.
Perhaps motivated by Dianne Wilkerson's weak defense of her money accumulation, House Speaker Sal DiMasi has announced that he will resign from the Legislature effective Tuesday (or tomorrow, according to the Herald). DiMasi had denied rumors about his resignation last Friday, and maintains that he now steps down with his head "held high." Right, because there's always good reason to resign if you've done nothing wrong. The Globe names possible successors Robert A. DeLeo and John Rogers, who's had a scandal of his own already. Wouldn't want to give power to anyone too pure. Update: DiMasi's resignation letter.
In her first interview since being arrested for bribery in October, Dianne Wilkerson revealed she took way more money than was caught on tape (or in her bra): up to $70,000. But at least these funds weren't bribes. To the contrary, they were totally legal (according to Wilkerson), and just going toward paying off Wilkerson's personal debts, particularly those nagging tax bills. That's what we elect our politicians for—to help 'em out! The more destitute, the better. Apparently it is legal for individuals to give a tax-free $12,000 to others, but it's usually more of a parent-child than a constituent-politician payment. And even if a bunch of kind-hearted Bostonians (assuming those exist) really just wanted to help Wilkerson with her non-tax-paying ways (by giving her even more money to not pay taxes on), she could've some taken measures to make it look a bit less suspicious. For example, Arthur Winn, a partner in the Columbus Center project, gave Wilkerson money—and she conveniently voted to fund his development. Wilkerson also uses the "everyone does it" excuse:
Dianne Wilkerson, the state senator suspected of accepting bribes from constituents, resigned from her position today, following yesterday's indictment on charges of attempted extortion. Sonia Chang-Diaz will take over the job in January. The Herald reports that Dianne is boxing up her possessions—no word on how much money is among them.
According to the Globe, state senator Dianne Wilkerson's longtime political pal Ron Wilburn may have been the "cooperating witness" (CW) behind the FBI operation against Wilkerson. The FBI isn't revealing its sources, but Wilkerson aides claim--and FBI footage seems to confirm--that Wilburn is the man who bribed Wilkerson to get him a liquor license.
- Gothamist was mesmerized by the trailer for Empire, a movie about biking in NYC with a flagrant disregard for traffic laws, safety and basic common sense.
- Phillyist couldn't really talk about anything but their World Series-winning Phillies. The curse has been reversed!
- LAist got annoyed at the Sarah Palin effigy in West Hollywood. It was eventually taken down, but then a Barack Obama one was put up in Redondo Beach.
Dianne Wilkerson's dramatic saga continues, but her reelection campaign doesn't. After clergy members and minority leaders called for the accused senator to resign, she has (according to the Globe) at least canceled her reelection campaign, but not officially resigned from the senate. Wilkerson says she'll make that decision on November 5. Already bested by Sonia Chang-Diaz in an election and a recount, Wilkerson had been planning to continue her write-in reelection campaign despite recent charges of accepting bribes. The state senate passed a resolution on Thursday asking Wilkerson to resign, and is now taking steps toward a vote to expel her.
The State Senate voted unanimously today to censure State Senator Dianne Wilkerson after she was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly accepting $23,500 in bribes. The case, which has scattered subpoenas across Beacon Hill, had gone from embarrassing to farcical when Wilkerson vowed to continue her campaign to retain her seat, a notion to which the Senate finally put paid, one hopes. "Do I look angry?" asked Senate President Therese Murray. "Yes I am." [Globe]
If you can't keep track of the cast surrounding State Senator Dianne Wilkerson's arrest on federal bribery charges and subsequent decision to continue the sticker campaign to retain her seat, you are not alone. Bostonist's head has been swimming for days.
Moody's predicts that Massachusetts may lose 7200 jobs in the financial sector due to the recent economic struggles. This follows up Fidelity's news that they'll lay off about 4000 folks (not all in Mass.). It's hard to look on the bright side of the economic crisis, but cheer up--at least Dianne Wilkerson has given us all an idea for a great non-mattress money-stashing location.
Despite pending federal charges, State Sentaor Dianne Wilkerson will continue her sticker campaign to retain her seat. The most infamous stuffed shirt in Boston is currently out on a $50,000 bond while awaiting a Federal corruption trial for allegedly accepting $23,500 in bribes.
Massachusetts state senator Dianne Wilkerson was released on a $50,000 bond today after being arrested on charges of extortion. No word on how much, if any, of that bond was paid in bra money. The Herald shows Wilkerson sipping water after her court appearance; apparently arrest can be just as nerve-wracking as (allegedly) accepting bribes. Wilkerson did not enter a plea at today's hearing, and has another court date in Worcester on November 17. Stay hydrated, Dianne.
The Globe prints the soon-to-be-notorious FBI Government Exhibit "D," an image of Dianne Wilkerson allegedly stuffing her bra with cash.
State Senator Dianne Wilkerson, who has suffered a volley of ethics charges over the past year, was arrested this morning by FBI agents, numerous sources are now reporting. According to the Globe, Wilkerson faces charges that she accepted more than $23,000 in bribes from undercover agents during a series of meetings. In one ignoble instance, she was recorded stuffing $1,000 cash into her bra at fancy bistro No. 9 Park, authorities say. Wilkerson, an attorney, also faces disbarment for an unrelated perjury accusation. A State Senator of 15 years, Wilkerson lost August's Democratic primary for her seat to Sonia Chang-Diaz. Wilkerson was running a sticker campaign to defeat Chang-Diaz in the general election.
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