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Scott Brown: DiMasi Charges The Result Of One-Party Rule

NEWTON (CBS/AP) - Sen. Scott Brown says federal corruption charges against former state House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi are the result of one-party rule by Massachusetts Democrats.

See: Latest on the DiMasi Trial

The Republican senator spoke Sunday at commencement ceremonies at Lasell College in Newton. He said DiMasi was enabled by what the senator called a go-along-to-get-along attitude of a one-party state.

"I don't quite frankly care if you're a Democrat or Republican. Just as one political party can't be right 100% of the time, it shouldn't have 100% of the power," said Sen. Brown.

Brown, who is up for re-election next year, said unchallenged power grows arrogant and has resulted in several cases of graft.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports.

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DiMasi, a Democrat, is accused of steering two lucrative contracts to a software firm in exchange for $65,000 in illegal payments. He and two co-defendants have pleaded not guilty.

"The one-party rule is creating a culture of corruption," said Sen. Brown.

Brown told audience members that the trial will not end corruption in the state. He urged audience members to use their votes to bring change if they believe the system has failed.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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