Nov 23, 2008 11:32 am US/Eastern
Leaders Help Community Cope With Turner Arrest
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.
Supporters of Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner insist he will be vindicated on federal bribery charges.
Surveillance video shows Turner being taken into custody Friday morning at Boston City Hall.
News of Turner's arrest, so soon after the
arrest of State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, has shaken the community he represents. But leaders of that community are trying to help people get through this very difficult time.
Read The Wilkerson Criminal Complaint
"I am absolutely positive that a jury of my peers will come to the conclusion that I am innocent."
Surrounded by supporters, Turner maintained his innocence. "A person is innocent until proven guilty," said Darnell Williams of the Urban League.
Read The Criminal Complaint
But an image of him allegedly taking a bribe and then making false statements to FBI agents has been a shock to many leaders. "Chuck has been a very strong advocate in the black community, so this is a total shock," said Williams.
"I hate to see our community divided over any issue," said William Dickerson II of Greater Love Tabernacle in Dorchester.
"Myself, along with other clergy statewide and black clergy community, we are going before God in prayer for this city and the Commonwealth."
Dickerson has been pasturing for 19 years. His message to his parishioners is for them to come together and pray for a city in need of healing. "Prayer is not an escape from reality," he said. "Second chronicle 7:14 says if my people to call by my name would humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive the sin and heal the land."
Williams says now is the time for transparency, not judgment. "We need to bring together the brightest minds in the black community and hopefully to restore trust and confidence that public service is a noble profession."
As for Turner – "You have to go through the process and the FBI came forward with some charges and now it's in the hands of the courts," said Boston Mayor Tom Menino.
If convicted, Turner faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on attempted extortion charges. He faces five years and a $250,000 fine on the false statement charge.
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