Corruption Trial Could Sink Gov. Deval Patrick

The Boston Herald reports:

A key defense lawyer in the corruption case against former House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi is preparing for trial as early as September in a courtroom drama that could force Gov. Deval Patrick and his former top aides to testify just weeks before the election.

“I think that would be the death blow to his administration,” said Boston University political professor Thomas Whalen. Whalen added that even if Patrick himself isn’t called to the stand, “he’s going to be dealing with the taint of corruption, kind of like the (former state treasurer) Joe Malone syndrome. Even though he wasn’t charged, he still looks like a boob.”

DiMasi is accused of taking $57,000 from the Cognos software firm in exchange for using political influence to secure a $13 million state contract for the company.

Great moments in Blue America.