Judge Denies Sal DiMasi New Trial

BOSTON (AP) -- A federal judge has denied a bid by former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi for a new trial.

DiMasi was convicted in June of charges that he used his influence to steer two lucrative state contracts to a software firm in exchange for payments.

Following his conviction, he asked U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf to order a new trial on several grounds, including his claim that the evidence against him was insufficient to prove guilt.

But in a ruling issued on Tuesday, Wolf said he concluded that the jury's guilty verdicts were reasonable. Wolf also denied a new trial for co-defendant Richard McDonough, a Statehouse lobbyist.

A third defendant, Richard Vitale, was acquitted by the jury.

DiMasi and McDonough face sentencing on Sept. 8.

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