Corruption

House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, who is currently being investigated for alleged ethics violations, said Tuesday that the House would review recommendations put forth by Gov. Deval Patrick's ethics task force but did not ensure their swift passage into law.

Patrick, a Milton Democrat, called on Legislature to act on the recommendations within 30 days. He plans to introduce the recommendations as legislation on Wednesday.

"The members of the House will thoroughly review the recommendations from the governor's task force and we will seriously consider any necessary changes in the new term," DiMasi, a Boston Democrat, said in a statement.

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Ramsey Clark and Chuck Turner

BOSTON- Former U.S Attorney General Ramsey Clark said Wednesday the prosecution of Chuck Turner is both politically and racially motivated and raised doubts about U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan's case against the Boston city councilor.

Clark, who was the attorney general under President Lyndon Johnson, said Sullivan has brought charges without sufficient evidence as the end of George W. Bush's presidency approaches.

"How is it that they've gone on for 18 months and at the end of the administration they come up with this?" he asked.

"They've overcharged mercilessly," he also said. "I mean, three counts on a $1,000 claim? Who are they kidding?"

BOSTON - Upon delivering a box of campaign finance documents at the courthouse Friday, Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner, his wife Terri, and her lawyer alleged that the government is now "scrambling" to obtain evidence for its case against Turner.

The Turners and Michael Altman, Mrs. Turner's attorney, arrived at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse for a press conference about the subpoena that had been delivered to Turner's wife requesting all campaign documents for the past four years. Altman said the subpoena is an attempt by the prosecution to obtain damaging evidence against Turner that doesn't exist.

"What they are doing now, it appears to me, is they are scrambling," Altman said. "They have one questionable incident of $1,000 and they know that they can't really go after a respected public official on one incident like that. So now they are trying to make a case after the fact to justify what they've done before."

Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon introduced legislation on Wednesday that would require all of the city's commissions and boards all information relative to members and meetings on the internet.

Yoon, of Dorchester, said the legislation seeks to increase citizens' access to government.

"I am a strong advocate of open and accountable government that acts within clearly established boundaries," Yoon said in a statement. "A government that can act arbitrarily and in secret invites corruption, special pleading and trading favors."

FBI

FBI evidence against Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner

BOSTON - Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner and former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson plead not guilty on multiple federal felony charges in a brief arraignment on Wednesday.

But while the arraignment lacked any fireworks, Turner's supporters made their presence known at the courthouse and Turner's lawyer, Barry Wilson, hinted at one potential aspect of Turner's defense: Questioning the authenticity of the photo evidence submitted by the FBI.

Turner arrived at the courtroom about 15 minutes before the scheduled hearing with Wilson. About 25 of his supporters filled the courtroom and many others waited outside as he and Wilson sat at the table closest to the judge. Wilkerson entered shortly thereafter, sitting with her lawyer, Max Stern, and a table directly behind Turner's.

Former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson will appear in court Wednesday with Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner, according to U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan's office.

Wilkerson and Turner will both be arraigned at that time. 

Turner was originally scheduled to appear at 3 P.M. alone. Wilkerson appeared in court earlier this week and pled not guilty to eight federal charges. She has since been charged with an additional charge of conspiracy with Turner.

Turner faces five federal felony charges.

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Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner Tuesday night

BOSTON - After listening to embattled City Councilor Chuck Turner Tuesday night, it was unclear which bothers him more: his impending trial that could lead to 20 years in prison or the local media.

At a rally at Roxbury Community College, Turner tried to educate about 100 supporters on his "law of the media."

"If you see that I am somewhat hostile to them, my sense is that I've got nothing to lose," he said. "Because they haven't covered me before, they are only here tonight because they feel my blood is in the water and sharks always come around when blood is in the water."

Turner, who now faces five federal felony charges, took the microphone shortly after 6 P.M. and said the press wasn't welcome despite advertisements for the rally.

Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner is due in court Wednesday at 3 P.M, according to U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan's office.

Turner, who now faces five federal felony charges, is scheduled to appear at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston. It is unclear whether Turner will be formally arraigned at the appearance.

Turner is charged with one count of attempted extortion, one count of conspiracy and three counts of lying to federal officials.

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Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner Monday afternoon

BOSTON - In an emotionally charged press conference, embattled City Councilor Chuck Turner said Monday that he is innocent and stridently criticized the press and his fellow city councilors for presuming his guilt before he has had an opportunity to defend himself in court.

Turner's remarks came at a highly anticipated press conference on the steps of City Hall. Flanked by supporters and in front of a crowd of about 200, Turner emphatically denied allegations that he accepted a $1,000 bribe. 

Turner, a Roxbury member of the Green-Rainbow Party, said that he is being tried by the media and the City Council before defending himself in court.

"Obviously, the press is working to publicly destroy my reputation before I even have an opportunity to have a day in court," he said. "Since I am being tried by the media and my fellow councilors, I have made the decision to publicly defend myself. That is, I will act as my own lawyer in this media trial in which I find myself. Some argue that I should keep quiet for fear that I may make some statement that can be used against me. So be it! I will not sit back silently and allow my reputation to be ripped to shreds."

Facing allegations that he accepted a $1,000 bribe, Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner said Friday that he is innocent and promised to continue his work on the City Council, the Boston Globe reports.

Turner, a Roxbury member of the Green-Rainbow Party, was arrested Friday morning as a result of an FBI investigation into state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, a Boston Democrat who was arrested at the end of October.

"I am absolutely positive that a jury of my peers will come to the conclusion that I am innocent," Turner said after his appearance at the Federal District Court in Worcester, according to the Globe. 

"I know I am innocent," he added.