Deval Patrick set to take stand tomorrow in Sal DiMasi’s trial

[The Northerner]

Gov. Deval Patrick takes the witness stand tomorrow in the politically charged corruption trial of his Beacon Hill frenemy, former House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi.

Patrick is bumping several witnesses ahead of him to appear on the eve of the long Memorial Day weekend for his highly anticipated testimony about DiMasi’s alleged hand in a multimillion-dollar software bid-rigging scheme. He was to be the grand finale of the government’s case next week.

Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Theodore Merritt told U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mark L. Wolf that Patrick “cleared his schedule” for tomorrow. But Patrick spokesman Alex Goldstein disputed that.

“The governor has not cleared his schedule. He will testify whenever he is asked, and we understand that could be as soon as Friday,” Goldstein said.

Read more: http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/2011_0526deval_set_to_take_stand_tomorrow_in_sals_trial/

[blm]

1. So, this post hopes to point a finger at a Dem the same day you post supportively of Tom Coburn

and you use the Boston Herald to do it. Typical.

[Forkboy]

2. OP's posting habits aside, DiMasi is one of the biggest weasels here in Mass politics.

Fingers should be pointed at him, Democrat or not. And while this link is from the Herald, the Boston Globe has been all over this story from day 1 (I believe a series of stories the Globe did on DiMasi's dealings is what led to the indictments in the first place, as a matter of fact).

But at least Mass is consistent. DiMasi makes three straight House Speakers we've indicted here, following in the proud footsteps of Charles Flaherty and Thomas Finneran. One of the reasons I like Patrick is I know what a bunch of pips he has to deal with in the State House, many of them in his own party. You think D.C. is dysfunctional? Come to Mass and watch our politics play out. :)

[Kingofalldems]

3. Unrec for slicky-boy sneak attacks on Democrats