Nov 21, 2008 11:35 pm US/Eastern
City Councilor Chuck Turner: 'I'm Innocent'
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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The FBI released these surveillance photos which, they say, show Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner accepting a $1,000 bribe.
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The FBI released these surveillance photos which, they say, show Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner accepting a $1,000 bribe.
Boston city councilor Chuck Turner was arrested Friday morning at his City Hall office for allegedly taking a $1,000 bribe and then making false statements to FBI agents who questioned him about it.
Turner, who maintains his innocence, was arraigned at the federal court in Worcester this afternoon.
He appeared before Judge Timothy Hillman, who is hearing the corruption case against disgraced former state Sen. Diane Wilkerson who resigned from her seat this week.
WHAT HAPPENED The joint investigation between the FBI, Boston police, and IRS began in May 2007.
Read The Criminal ComplaintThe U.S. Attorney's Office said it was "aimed at exploring allegations against Turner and former State Senator Dianne Wilkerson."
Read The Wilkerson Criminal ComplaintTurner, a staunch supporter of Wilkerson, was among the politicians named in the FBI affidavit released after
Wilkerson's arrest and records from his office related to the investigation were subpoenaed.
THE ALLEGED BRIBEOn August 3, 2007, investigators say Turner "solicited, and then accepted, $1,000 in cash from a cooperating witness who was seeking to obtain a liquor license for a proposed club in Roxbury."
That "cooperating witness" is the same confidential informant who said he paid bribes to Wilkerson, investigators said.
Authorities say the payment to Turner was made in his district office and was captured on video. Prosecutors released two images from that video Friday.
The FBI said the unidentified witness was invited by Turner to his office.
"The cooperating witness then handed Turner $1,000 cash and said 'you take the wife to dinner and...have some fun' and that Turner accepted the money smiling and nodding his head and responded, "okay."
The informant attempted to make a second payment in September 2007 just outside the City Council chamber but could not arrange time alone with Turner, according to the affidavit.
Then, on October 28, shortly after Wilkerson was arrested, agents met with Turner in his City Hall office. They say he denied ever taking any cash payments.
THE ARREST Federal agents went to Turner's home in Roxbury early Friday morning, but he was not there.
They found him at City Hall and arrested him around 7 a.m.
Turner slept in his cell at Federal Court in Worcester while he awaited his court appearance.
Turner was released on person bond after his hearing. He was ordered to surrender his passport and is required to check in every Monday with court officials.
Outside court, Turner said he's innocent and that he will not be resigning from his city councilor post. "I am absolutely positive that a jury of my peers will come to the conclusion that I am innocent. The reason why I believe that will be there conclusion is because I know I am innocent."
Turner added that he understands the computers and telephones at his office have been ordered turned off. He said if his computers and phones aren't on when he goes to work on Monday, he will go to court to get them turned on. "
This is supposed to be a democracy," he said. "How can they even consider taking away from my constituents and their constituents the leadership they want? I think that is horrendous for them to even think that. I am not going to let this abuse of power to continue."
If convicted, Turner faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the attempted extortion charge. He faces 5 years and a $250,000 fine on the false statements charge.
THE STING OPERATION Turner told the
Jamaica Plain Gazette last week that an undercover FBI agent visited his office in alleged "sting" operation last year.
He claimed it was an attempt to "entrap" him and "intimidate" his staff.
BACKGROUND Turner represents District 7, which includes Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway and the South End.
Turner is a Harvard grad and a veteran community activist who has been on the City Council since 2000.
REACTION
Mayor Tom Menino told WBZ he was "disappointed" by the arrest.
"I'm very surprised," he said. "It's just an unfortunate situation."
"This always casts a cloud over governments," Menino told reporters. "It's frustrating for me. It's very frustrating for me. We are supposed to be here to help people."
City Council president Maureen Feeney said she won't let the arrest "cast a dark cloud" over the council.
"I am deeply saddened by the news this morning. These charges are disturbing and shake an already fragile public trust in elected leaders," she said in a statement.
Residents of Turner's district say they are
embarrassed and angry over the city councilor's arrest.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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