Former Massachusetts House Speaker and North End resident, Sal DiMasi, was sentenced to eight years in prison today by a federal court judge after being convicted on corruption charges last June. In his decision, US District Court Judge Mark Wolf said DiMasi’s life had been “a great American story to a point.” The ruling also includes a forfeiture of $65,000. Statehouse lobbyist, Richard McDonough, was separately sentenced to seven years in prison. It is unclear if the prison sentences will commence before the planned appeal. More in the NECN video clip above and the Globe report.
DiMasi lives on Commercial Street with his wife, Debbie, in the North End, a neighborhood he served as State Representative for the Third Suffolk District eventually rising to become Speaker.
State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, North End resident and former aide to DiMasi was elected in a special 2009 election to the Third Suffolk District seat after the Speaker’s resignation. At the time of DiMasi’s conviction, Michlewitz commented that the action, “is disappointing and ends a tumultuous and sad chapter for my neighborhood, the District and the Legislature. It is the hope that through my continued work and commitment to the people of the 3rd Suffolk, that I will help restore the public’s confidence in their elected government. It is also disappointing that people will forget the good that Sal did for equality, for health care, and for the neighborhoods he represented. My heart goes out to his family in this difficult time.”
Very sad , sad day