Results tagged “richardvitale”

Former Sal DiMasi adviser Daniel Toscano will receive immunity in exchange for his testimony on activities connected to DiMasi. Toscano is expected to testify about the actions of Richard Vitale, DiMasi's former accountant, and lobbyist Richard McDonough, among others. Anonymous sources suggest that Toscano wasn't squeaky clean himself, freely giving out raises and jobs and helping promote legislature while assisting the former speaker, but at least now he has immunity. DiMasi resigned from the house this January amid speculation that he received payments from lobbyists.

• A fire truck crashed into a building in Mission Hill. One firefighter was killed, three firefighters were hurt, and some children that had been in the building suffered minor injuries as well. The truck's brakes may have failed. [Globe]
• Salmonella strikes Mass. [Herald]
• Gary Wilson, originally assigned to investigate DiMasi accountant Richard Vitale, has been removed from the case for donating to DiMasi's campaign. [Globe]

Sal DiMasi's accountant, Richard Vitale, has been indicted on charges of campaign finance and lobbying violations, a result of cozying up to ticket brokers seeking deregulation. A Suffolk County jury indicted Vitale this afternoon. Martin Weinberg is representing Vitale and affirms no wrongdoing. Vitale received $60,000 from the Massachusetts Association of Ticket Brokers. There have also been allegations of payments to Vitale's company by Cognos, a software company that obtained a state contract in 2007.

Sal DiMasi failed to provide records requested by the State Ethics Committee, which has since filed a motion to force DiMasi's compliance. The requested documents likely relate to payments to DiMasi and cohorts from parties seeking to influence government contracts and legislation. The high-ranked House member apparently has not yet been caught on tape taking money from Cognos and other sources. DiMasi's accountant, Richard Vitale, must have other ways to hide the loot.