Turner Voted Off Boston City Council

BOSTON (CBS/AP) -- The Boston City Council has expelled Councilor Chuck Turner following his conviction on federal corruption charges.

The council voted 11-1 on Wednesday to remove the 70-year-old Turner from office. A two-thirds vote was needed for expulsion.

WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports.

It was two years ago Turner was arrested in his office. He was caught in the same undercover sting that netted former State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson. Both are charged with accepting bribes.

Turner was indicted and convicted of attempted extortion.

In filing the motion, City Council President Michael Ross praised Turner for working tirelessly on behalf of constituents, but said no councilor should be above the law.

In a letter to the Fenway News on Tuesday, Turner compared himself civil rights icon Rosa Parks. "Fifty-five years ago, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the front of the bus… Fifty-five years later, I am refusing to give up my seat on the council rather than submit to the prosecutorial tyranny of former US Attorney Sullivan."

WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports.

Turner was not be allowed to vote, although he can run for re-election as a convicted felon.

Turner is the first councilman to be expelled in the 100-year history of the modern city council.

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