As reported in the Boston Globe this morning, State Senator Wilkerson, who represents Chinatown as part of her district, was arrested by the FBI after an 18-month investigation on bribery charges. If the charges stick, this would definitely mean the end of Wilkerson’s political career.

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Boston Globe

Embattled state senator arrested by FBI
October 28, 2008 08:58 AM
By John R. Ellement, Donovan Slack, Shelley Murphy, and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

State Senator Dianne Wilkerson was arrested this morning after an 18-month undercover FBI investigation in which she allegedly accepted eight bribes worth $23,500.

The 15-year lawmaker allegedly accepted cash payoffs that ranged from $500 to $10,000 to help a nightclub secure a liquor license and to assist a private developer who wanted to build on state land. The investigation includes audio and video recordings and still photographs of Wilkerson allegedly accepting cash payoffs starting in June 2007 and continuing through this month.

One series of photographs displayed by federal authorities at a press conference this morning show Wilkerson allegedly stuffing a $1,000 payoff into her bra during a meeting with an informant at No. 9 Park restaurant, which was surreptitiously recorded with audio and video. The 10, $100 bills were not in an envelope and clearly visible in the photograph dated June 18, 2007.

According to a 32-page affidavit, Wilkerson also brought along a grandchild when she accept a $1,000 kickback on Aug. 31, 2007, at the Fill-A-Buster restaurant, which is directly across the street from the State House.

“Public service is a privilege. Voters and taxpayers expect that elected officials will do what is right for their constituents, not what is financially best for themselves,” US Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said this morning at the press conference. “Citizens place extraordinary trust in those it gives the greatest authority. And with that authority comes the obligation to act with fairness and honesty.”

Wilkerson is expected to be arraigned this afternoon in US District Court in Boston. She faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted with more potential charges pending.

Wilkerson’s campaign manager Boyce Slayman confirmed that Wilkerson was led away in handcuffs.

“I’m with her now at the headquarters,” Slayman said, apparently referring to police headquarters.

Wilkerson has represented Roxbury for more than a decade, but lost the Democratic primary to Sonia Chang-Diaz earlier this month. Wilkerson has been mounting a sticker campaign to regain her seat in the November election.

Wilkerson is also facing the loss of her license to practice law. The Board of Bar Overseers has alleged she lied under oath at a 2005 Suffolk Superior Court hearing, an allegation she has denied.

The charges, which were unsealed this morning in a 32-page affidavit, contend that Wilkerson accepted $23,500 bribes in exchange for, among other things, helping the nightclub Deja Vu get a liquor license.

After accepting an initial $500 bribe on June 5, 2007, Wilkerson allegedly telephoned Mayor Thomas M. Menino on June 17, 2007, to lobby on behalf of the nightclub in a call that was recorded by the FBI. Wilkerson told an informant later that day that she had “talked to the mayor” and his office would help obtain a nontransferable license to sell beer and wine until a full liquor license “freed up.”

[1] http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/10/embattled_state.html