Mass. Pol Accused of Stuffing Bra With Bribes (Yes... There are pictures)

ABC ^ | 10/28/2008 | MICHELE McPHEE

[Responsibility2nd]

An embattled Massachusetts state senator appeared in a federal courtroom today charged with taking $23,500 in bribes, including cash that she stuffed into her bra during a meeting at a tony Boston restaurant that was secretly videotaped by an undercover FBI agent, federal prosecutors said.

Democratic state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson faces 40 years in prison after federal prosecutors outlined accusations that she accepted the bribes over an 18-month period in a money-for-legislative influence sting operation, prosecutors said. She had $6,000 in cash in her purse when she was arrested at her Roxbury home by nearly two dozen law enforcement officials, prosecutors said.

Photographs released by U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan showed Wilkerson stuffing 10 $100 bills into her bra at No. 9 Park restaurant last June. During another meeting with an undercover FBI agent two months later, Wilkerson took her granddaughter to accept a $1,000 kickback at the Fill-A-Buster restaurant, a famed political hotspot directly across the street from the Massachusetts State House, according to a 32-page affidavit filed in the case.

A federal complaint charges that Wilkerson accepted eight bribes totaling $23,500 over an 18-month period in exchange for her influence on Beacon Hill. Undercover agents posed as a property developer who wanted to build on state land, and another worked Wilkerson as a potential barroom owner willing to pay for a liquor license.

"She has a long history of acting as if she was above the law,'' said Assistant U.S. Attorney John McNeil during Wilkerson's initial appearance in court.

-SNIP-

Wilkerson -– the state's only black state senator –- is a convicted tax cheat and a campaign finance scofflaw who has a long litany of legal problems that has marred her 15-year record as a lawmaker.

[Responsibility2nd]

This still image made from video, which was included in an affidavit filed by the FBI in federal court and released by the U.S. attorney's office, allegedly shows Massachusetts state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, D-Boston, stuffing bribe money under her sweater June 18, 2007, at the bar at No. 9 Park restaurant in Boston. Wilkerson was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, by the FBI on public corruption charges. (U.S. Attorney's Office/AP Photo)

[fellowpatriot]

They can’t convict her! She’s a democrat!

[Radl]

Just spreading the wealth ahead of time.

[Responsibility2nd]

More pics here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/gallery/10_28_08_wilkerson_surveillance?pg=5

_______________________________________

Need I say it????

GUILTY!!!!!!!!

[Sender]

(D) Boston...what a surprise. If it’s more than a mouthful, it’s a bribe...

[P-Marlowe]

These were not bribes. These were reparations.

[MichiganCheese]

She should have put it in the freezer. Dems don’t get in trouble for that.

[USMA '71]

Wilkerson -– the state's only black state senator –- is a convicted tax cheat and a campaign finance scofflaw who has a long litany of legal problems that has marred her 15-year record as a lawmaker.

Sounds like she comes highly recommended!

[webschooner]

a Democrat taking bribes, I’m shocked! /sarc

Actually, I am shocked that they actually mentioned that she is a Democrat in the newz story. That’s a first!

[Responsibility2nd]

Or stuffed it down her shorts a la Sandy Berger.

[nutmeg]

Wow... I heard Howie Carr talking about this for awhile today. The pics sure tell the story! LOL

[redpoll]

As it says in the good book, “My cup runneth over.”

[Califreak]

That is so ghetto.

[sierrahome]

Maybe she was breast feeding her chihuahua.

[LostInBayport]

...at the Fill-A-Buster restaurant...

An appropriately titled place to stuff cash into your bra, no?

Howie Carr noted today that if Wilkerson goes to prison, she will be the third person in a row in this office to do time.

Then he played the robocall of Deval Patrick, the Obama prototype, singing her praises and encouraging people to vote for her.

This is why I'm voting Yes on Question One...no more income tax, less money for pols to stuff in their undergarments.

[NTegraT]

Just padding the budget. *cough*

[Cobra64]

Good thing it's not a bat-bra

[Responsibility2nd]

Yeah.

I guess we should all be grateful she didn’t stuff the “junk in da trunk”.

Lord knows I would NOT want to see surveilance pics of her doing that!

[Beowulf9]

Show me an honest black democrat and I’ll show you a black democrat that hasn’t been convicted.

[FreepShop1]

She is quite the "community organizer"...

Commission to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities; Steering Committee for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under the Law

[Bringbackthedraft]

They can’t convict her! She’s a democrat! ............. She’ll will not go to jail, they will use the reliable Democrat racist card.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Hell, I need to start wearing a bra.

[Califreak]

I know we’ve got what’s his name with the wide stance & all, but really dems have digusting covered hands down.

[Bringbackthedraft]

What another crooked politician from the Boston area? I am shocked, truly shocked!

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

I hope this crook got a paper cut from the money.

[ari-freedom]

Boston Illegal.

[Responsibility2nd]

Ugh.

Do you remember there was a FR thread on that wack-o chick?

She stuffed a living bat in her living bra.

[anniegetyourgun]

[Clintonfatigued]

“They can’t convict her! She’s a democrat!”

She was recently defeated in the Democrat primary in September. So her career is over regardless of how the jury rules.

No doubt, there are witty comments waiting to be posted. An event like this makes it impossible not to post them.

(ex- it’s a good thing Pamela Anderson isn’t a politician)

[bigbob]

BUSTED!!!

(literally)

[A message]

"She has a long history of acting as if she was above the law,''

What Democrat does that not apply?

[Marysecretary]

My Living Bra died of starvation...

[Rembrandt]

Ain’t it a shame she’s not running in Louisiana. William Jefferson, Democrat, Louisiana has won his primary and is in line to be re-elected as sitting Federal Representative!

[Bush Revolution]

Yes, she will get reelected...Um, like Cold Cash Jefferson from New Orleans. Do they hold elections in jails these days? he he ha ha Yes, play that game...Name the party...If I didn’t laugh I would cry...

[fightinJAG]

Good thing Sandy Bergler wasn’t wearing a bra!

[warsaw44]

oh, she's a pip!
The stories about this woman are just crazy but in today's Massachusetts it is just about normal. On Howie's show many of the callers thought she will not serve one day in prison. Who knows - I sure wouldn't be surprised. I wonder if she will rat out everyone and anyone she can for a reduced sentence?

[JennysCool]

BUSTED!!!

Well done!

[Bush Revolution]

Didn’t she have a purse, a wallet maybe some pockets? he he

[Responsibility2nd]

[cynwoody]

I took great pleasure in the downfall of Elliot Spitzer earlier this year.

I take great pleasure in Diane Wilkerson's downfall yesterday.

Am I a racist?

http://www.boston.com/news/local/102808_Wilkerson_through_the_years/

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

[rvoitier]

Good one!

LoL

[Arizona Carolyn]

of course they will cry racism.

[Charles Henrickson]

To quote Obama, "major redistributive change":

[Charles Henrickson]

at the Fill-A-Buster restaurant. . . .

Fill-A-Bustier?

[Ben Reyes]

You’re still gonna be flat-chested, girl! Give it up!

[Secret Agent Man]

My God, how much taxpayer money was spent on THAT?!?!? /sarc

[Charles Henrickson]

Lift and Reparate!

[Seven plus One]

They can’t convict her! She’s a democrat!

I think they can convict them now. It's hard to find a prison that won't barf 'em back out, though.