Oct 28, 2008 6:43 pm US/Eastern
Wilkerson Allegations Disappoint Politicians
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Gov. Deval Patrick, shown here with Wilkerson to the left, released a statement saying, "The initial reports are both troubling and sad. These are very serious charges and I will trust the judicial process to take them seriously."
WBZ
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Sen. Diane Wilkerson refused to speak to reporters after being released from jail on $50,000 bail.
WBZ
As law enforcers searched
Dianne Wilkerson's Senate office-- Senate President Therese Murray made terse comments to reporters.
"I can't talk about any specific charges (because) there's an investigation ongoing,and we will be cooperating with law enforcement," said Murray, as she walked up the stairs to her office. "Her status will be changed as of Thursday. We will file an order in the Senate at a caucus to send this to the Ethics Committee, and we will remove her from her chairmanship."
Asked if she had any personal feelings about the
allegations against Wilkerson, Murray said, "I have lots of personal feelings on this," before letting the door shut behind her.
Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei was clear about his personal feelings after seeing the photos of Wilkerson allegedly taking bribes.
"I think Dianne should at this point resign from the Senate. It makes me really angry seeing this whole situation," he said.
In the months before her September primary loss, it wasn't uncommon to see Wilkerson standing with Democratic leaders. At a news conference announcing the repeal of a 1913 law, she was praised by House Speaker Sal DiMasi and
Gov. Deval Patrick.
On Tuesday, Gov. Patrick issued this statement: "The initial reports are both troubling and sad. These are very serious charges and I will trust the judicial process to take them seriously."
Mayor Thomas Menino, according to the affidavit, was lobbied by Wilkerson on behalf of someone who was allegedly bribing her.
"I never suspected anything in the discussions I've had with the senator on these issues, and I'm just disappointed," Menino said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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