Massachusetts's State Senator Faces Federal Criminal Charges
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston yesterday announced that Massachusetts's State Senator Dianne Wilkerson has been charged with interference with commerce by extortion under color of official right in violation of 18 USC § 1951 and fraud by wire in violation of 18 USC § 1343. The charges arise out of Wilkerson having –amongst other things- allegedly agreed to introduce certain legislation in the Massachusetts State Senate in exchange for cash. Wilkerson allegedly introduced legislation to assist the people who were paying her to get liquor licenses and to be able to obtain state owned land without having to go through the competitive bidding process. The charges are based upon evidence obtained in a sting operation run by the FBI and Boston Police since the spring of 2007. The evidence is alleged to include audio and video tape of Wilkerson accepting more than $20,000 in cash payments from a cooperating witness and undercover agents. If convicted Wilkerson is facing up to 20 years in prison, three years post release supervision and a fine of $250,000 on each charge. Wilkerson is out on $50,000 bail. The US Attorney’s press release correctly acknowledges that charges are merely allegations and Wilkerson is innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
