Grand jury indicts Finneran (former Mass. Speaker of the House)

[wicket]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/06/06/grand_jury_indicts_finneran/

A federal grand jury today brought a criminal indictment against former Massachusetts House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran for allegedly lying in a civil case on legislative redistricting.

Finneran is charged with three counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. The indictment follows a yearlong investigation into the Mattapan Democrat, who dominated state politics for nearly a decade until his departure last year.

The charges from the Boston grand jury involve Finneran's testimony under oath after civil rights groups filed a federal suit alleging that a House redistricting plan protected white incumbents and diluted the clout of minority voters.

The charges could lead to jail time and the loss of Finneran's license to practice law if he's convicted.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Good. Finneran's an ass.

He might be a Democrat, but great goddamn did he suck ass as Speaker.

[wicket]

2. amen to that

I've always said that it doesn't matter what party one belongs to- if they are corrupt they have to go! Finneran is such an ass.

[Mairead]

7. I don't think "ass" quite covers the ground

He's something in the Lott/DeLay/Gingrich mould -- arrogant, self-interested, and crooked as hell. It was a good day in Mass when he went, and a better day now that he's been indicted.

[sniffa]

3. Leave monty burns aLone!

he said he didn't know that was his district.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. Funniest. Picture. Ever!

[davidinalameda]

4. wasn't he the one behind the drive to overturn gay marriage there

[wicket]

5. yup- that's him

[davidinalameda]

6. kewl

couldn't happen to a nicer guy then

fry his ass

[wicket]

9. "couldn't happen to a nicer guy then"

AMEN! :D

[Sperk]

10. He just has a "D" beside his name to get elected in MA...NOW can

we indict all the 9/11 liars for perjury. Jesus, they sure pick and choose don't they.

[mom cat]

11. One small step!

[liberalpragmatist]

12. Former Mass. House Speaker Indicted in Redistricting Probe

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/06/AR2005060601556.html

BOSTON, June 6 -- Former Massachusetts House speaker Thomas M. Finneran was indicted Monday on federal charges of lying under oath about his role in redrawing state legislative districts.

Finneran was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice and could be sent to prison and lose his license to practice law if convicted.

The Boston Democrat was accused of lying when he testified last year before a federal appeals court in a lawsuit brought by minority groups. The groups said a new legislative map would hurt black and Hispanic candidates and protect Finneran and other incumbents.

<snip>

The indictment charges Finneran with three counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. Each perjury count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while the obstruction charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Once dubbed "King Tom" for pushing through a rules change that removed term limits for House speakers, Finneran served as head of the 160-member House from 1996 to 2004. He ruled with an iron fist, keeping tight control over what legislation was allowed to reach the floor and isolating lawmakers who opposed him.

[Roland99]

13. One lying politician down...let's move on DeLay

He's a bazillion times worse!

[buff2]

14. Gee.....they indicted a DEMOCRAT

Now why can't they indict repukeliKKKan Tom Delay??? :banghead:

[wicket]

15. kick

:kick: