Government Satisfied With DiMasi Conviction
BOSTON (AP) - Prosecutors say the corruption conviction of Salvatore DiMasi should stand, citing what they call "the overwhelming weight "of evidence against the former Massachusetts House speaker.
The government on Friday filed a 57-page rebuttal to a defense motion asking U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf to order an acquittal or a new trial for DiMasi. DiMasi was found guilty by a jury last month on charges he used his clout as speaker to steer two lucrative state contracts to a software firm in exchange for payments.
Prosecutors rejected DiMasi's claim of insufficient evidence and suggested that the defense did not fully understand what was required for a conviction on honest services fraud charges.
The government also filed its opposition to a new trial for co-defendant Richard McDonough, a Statehouse lobbyist.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 8.
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