Report: Patrick Could Be Witness At DiMasi Trial

BOSTON (CBS) - Gov. Deval Patrick could become the first sitting governor since William Weld to be called as a witness in a criminal case.

According to the Boston Globe, federal prosecutors have listed Patrick as a possible witness in the upcoming corruption trial of former House Speaker Sal DiMasi.

WBZ-TV's Alana Gomez reports

Mark Reilly, Patrick's chief legal counsel, wouldn't confirm the report Friday.

"The judge has asked that the parties on that list keep that list confidential and we intend to respect that as well," he told WBZ-TV.

"At this point, we've consistently been cooperating with the U.S. Attorney's Office for any request that they may have. We'll continue to work with them and be responsive to their requests."

DiMasi is accused of taking money from a Burlington software company in exchange for multimillion dollar state contracts.

So what does Patrick have to do with it?

DiMasi may have lobbied the administration on behalf of the software company and that's something the former House Speaker has denied.

Patrick's office said it has a clean slate.

"There are no allegations of any wrongdoing by the administration and anyone either currently or formerly with the administration," Reilly said.

DiMasi and three of his associates are also charged with wire and mail fraud, extortion and conspiracy.

The trial is set to begin in April.

Weld took the stand in 1995 in the trial of former State Senator Henri Rauschenbach, who was accused of influence-peddling.

WBZ-TV's Alana Gomez contributed to this report.