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DiMasi Friend Pleads Not Guilty

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Jan 12, 2009 8:24 pm US/Eastern

DiMasi Friend Pleads Not Guilty

Reporting
Karen Anderson
BOSTON (WBZ) ― Richard Vitale pleaded not guilty in court to charges he violated state lobbying and campaign finance laws.

Vitale, 63, was arraigned on Monday in Suffolk Country Superior Court. Prosecutors say Vitale's firm, WN Advisors, was paid $60,000 by the Massachusetts Ticket Brokers Association to promote legislation regulating the resale of tickets to sporting and entertainment events.

Judge Peter Lauriat did not allow prosecutors to file an 18-page statement of the case.

Vitale's attorney argued it could prevent Vitale from receiving a fair trial, and could harm other people without access to the courts because they haven't been charged. Prosecutors argued it's a routine part of filing cases, and is almost always accepted in court.

The Attorney General's Office claims Vitale met with lawmakers, including Speaker Sal DiMasi, to try to pass the law.

Speaker DiMasi said he was not able to comment on the pending court case and stood by his past denials of any wrong doing.

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