Prosecutors Expected To Rest Case In DiMasi Trial This Week

BOSTON (AP) - Federal prosecutors are expected to rest their case this week in the corruption trial of former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and two associates.

Gov. Deval Patrick testified on Friday that DiMasi pressed him on several occasions in 2007 to approve a performance management software contract. The administration awarded the $13 million contract to the software firm Cognos but it was later cancelled after questions were raised about it.

Prosecutors allege that DiMasi received kickbacks in exchange for helping steer two state contracts to Cognos.

After the prosecution calls its final witnesses this week, defense lawyers for DiMasi, Richard McDonough and Richard Vitale are expected to begin presenting their case.

McDonough, a Statehouse lobbyist, and Vitale, an accountant, are both close friends of the ex-speaker.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)