Absolute power corrupts absolutely, isn't that what they say? In this case, the power many not be absolute, but it appears it was enough to - if the allegations are true - bring down Mass. State Senator Dianne Wilkerson.
Wilkerson was released on $50,000 bond Tues. afternoon bond after appearing in federal court on attempted extortion charges following a long, tedious, 18-month investigation.
Wllkerson faces a lot of strong evidence, including being allegedly caught on tape stuffing a bribe into her bra. A photo (Exhibit D, you can see) is posted with this article, from the video.
“Dianne Wilkerson accepted these cash payments in exchange for her official duties and responsibilities,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan during a morning news conference at the courthouse.
The complaint against Wilkerson alleges the following:
The complaint (much of it centering around liquor licenses) alleges that:
- In exchange for payment, Wilkerson pressured the Boston Licensing Board, the mayor and the City Council and held up pending legislation in the Senate, including legislation increasing the salaries of the Boston Licensing Board. It's obvious why the Board might be pressured by that, yes.
- Wilkerson introduced legislation to increase the number of liquor licenses available in Boston. Following that, at the request of undercover agents, she then manipulated the timing of said legislation..
- Wilkerson took $8,500 in cash payments from an undercover agent and a cooperating witness between June 2007 and March 2008, to assist in obtaining a liquor license for the DejaVu nightclub in Roxbury.
- Wilkerson proposed that an undercover agent, posing as an out-of-state businessman, become involved in the development of a piece of state property in Roxbury.
- Wilkerson proposed legislation that directly designated a property to a private entity for development in order to avoid the ordinary bidding process.
Despite all this, according to some, Wilkerson still has plenty of supporters in the 2nd Suffolk District. It's not unusual, though, for an incumbent to have that sort of support.
After all, there are still Ted Stevens supporters, aren't there?
Dianne Wilkerson has served in the Massachusetts State Senate since 1993, and was the first African American woman elected to that post.
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