November 19, 08

NEWS / SENATOR DIANNE WILKERSON INDICTED FOR ATTEMPTED EXTORTION

BOSTON, MA - Massachusetts State Senator DIANNE WILKERSON was indicted this
afternoon by a federal grand jury sitting in Boston. WILKERSON was charged with eight
counts of attempted extortion in connection with her acceptance of more than $20,000 in cash
payments between June 2007 and October 2008.
United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Office and Police Commissioner Edward
Davis of the Boston Police Department announced today that DIANNE WILKERSON, 53, of
74 Howland Street in Boston, Massachusetts, was charged by federal indictment with eight
counts of attempted extortion under color of official right. The indictment also seeks forfeiture
of $23,500 in payments made to WILKERSON by undercover agents and a cooperating
witness, as part of an 18 month covert investigation.
“This remains an active investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Sullivan. “We intend to
aggressive pursue all leads in this case, more fully digest the evidence we have gathered to date,
and bring additional charges as called for by the evidence.”
The indictment arises out of the facts alleged in a criminal complaint affidavit unsealed
on October 28, 2008. The affidavit outlines an 18 month covert investigation initiated after the
FBI and BPD Anti-Corruption Unit were alerted to WILKERSON’S acceptance of cash in
connection with her official duties. It is alleged that during the investigation, WILKERSON
accepted eight payments totaling $23,500 from undercover agents and a cooperating witness.
Those payments were allegedly made to WILKERSON in exchange for her official acts in
connection with obtaining a liquor license for a proposed club in Boston, and in connection with
the development of a parcel of land in Roxbury.
If convicted WILKERSON faces up to 20 years imprisonment, 3 years of supervised
release and a $250,000 fine on each of the eight charges.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field
Office, with assistance from the Boston Police Department Anti-Corruption Unit and the Internal
Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation - Boston Field Office. It is being prosecuted by
Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. McNeil in Sullivan’s Public Corruption and Special
Prosecutions Unit.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be
innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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http://boston.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/extortion111808.pdf

Tags: criminal investigation,