It’s a reality TV series, ripped from the headlines ala Law & Order, that follows the antics of the out of control pols on Beacon Hill. It has all the elements for a successful reality series, from people you love to hate to sexual hijinks, an unhealthy obsession with money. They could get an entire season worth of material from just one week’s worth of news.
DA: Sen. Marzilli ‘out of control’
LOWELL – A second woman came forward this morning claiming state Sen. James Marzilli accosted her in downtown Lowell as new details emerged about what a prosecutor called “out of control†behavior by the Arlington Democrat. The veteran politician, 50, claimed he was Martin Walsh when he was grabbed by cops yesterday, the name of his colleague in the House.
Marzilli, who was mobbed by a dozen cameramen and reporters, said nothing as he left Lowell District Court with his wife, political commentator Susan Shaer, and his sister this morning, after facing charges he accosted two women in Lowell. The white Toyota Corolla he drove away in appeared to have a parking ticket on the windshield.
Marzilli was charged with disorderly conduct, assault and battery, resisting arrest, attempt to commit a crime to wit indecent assault, furnishing a false name to a police officer and lewd and lascivious behavior after allegedly trying to grope a woman on a park bench. He was charged with accosting and annoying a person of the opposite sex for the second woman’s claims.
Marzilli’s attorney proclaims his client’s innocence.
GOP rep: Dems gutted child sex offense bill
A GOP lawmaker claims a sex offender bill known as Jessica’s Law has been gutted by Beacon Hill Democrats, whose changes would allow child rapists to escape mandatory prison sentences.
“This bill is a weaker substitute,†said state Rep. Karyn Polito (R-Shrewsbury). “I take a very straightforward approach to this: You rape a child, you serve time, but this (legislation) does not guarantee that convicted child rapists will be incarcerated.â€
Hackarama and Pension Scams
This bill started out as a multi-billion kiss payoff for the state hacks, by jacking up their COLA’s (cost-of-living adjustments). The reverse-Robin Hood then added the municipal retirees to the frenzy…The solons have a very sweet pension rule for themselves. If they’re in office one day in a calendar year, they get a year’s credit on their pensions. Nice “work†if you can get it. So after 19 years, Marian’s got her 20 years in. That’s pension No. 1.
Marian’s problem in the Senate is the fact that there can be only one queen bee, and that is the president, Terry Murray. Which brings us to the judgeship. Marian was one of Gov. Deval Patrick’s early supporters, which seems to entitle her to a $130,000-a-year no-heavy-lifting state judgeship.
A couple of months ago, she was on the runway, ready for takeoff to the bench. Her would-be Senate successors were scurrying around, pulling nomination papers.
But something happened, and she withdrew her name. But I predict that sooner or later she’ll be back before the JNC, cup in hand. So let’s say Sen. Walsh eventually takes the judgeship and puts in 10 years. That would be pension No. 2 – 80 percent of what will by then be at least $150,000.
Finally, her elderly husband, Paul V. Buckley. In an amazing coincidence, this husband of a politician was handed a judgeship. Yep, another nationwide search.
And here’s a Globe news story,
Patrick discusses supporter for post
Appointment would mark shift for governor
By Frank Phillips, Globe StaffThe Patrick administration has been discussing whether to name an early campaign supporter as head of a state bonding agency, a job that pays as much as $225,000 a year, according to an e-mail written by a Walsh political adviser that outlines the plan.
By installing state Senator Marian Walsh, a West Roxbury Democrat and early supporter of Governor Deval Patrick’s 2006 campaign, as executive director of the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the administration would be trading down in expertise.
A former Suffolk County prosecutor and longtime legislator, Walsh has no detailed job experience in public bonds and nonprofit debt. The current executive director, Benson T. Caswell, has an extensive background in the field.
A switch also could be expensive, creating a major hurdle for Walsh to get the job: Firing Caswell would cost the state $450,000, according to terms of his severance package.
If Patrick moves ahead with the plan, it would mark a shift for the governor, who declared after his campaign that lawmakers need not apply for administration jobs. At the time, Patrick’s statement was in keeping with his campaign promises to reform Beacon Hill culture and reduce political patronage hiring.
Insiders and Lobbyists Running Wild
DiMasi friend called to hearing before Secretary of State
BOSTON – A close friend of House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi has been ordered to appear at a hearing before Secretary of State William Galvin to explain why he failed to report lobbying income.
Richard Vitale last year helped promote legislation that would lift restrictions on price markups by ticket brokers. The bill passed the House with DiMasi’s support, but stalled in the Senate. Vitale’s company was paid $60,000 by the Massachusetts Association of Ticket Brokers.
DiMasi has said he never spoke to Vitale about the bill.
Comedic relief provided by MA GOP
Ogonowski Senate ballot effort falls short
Republican Senate hopeful Jim Ogonowski has failed to collect enough signatures to get on the September primary ballot.
Ogonowski, who hoped to challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. John Kerry, submitted 9,970 signatures to Secretary of State William Galvin’s office before the 5 p.m. deadline yesterday.
That’s 30 signatures short of the 10,000 needed.