One scum replaces another.
"DiMasi adviser trades testimony for immunity; Strikes deal to cooperate in federal corruption probe" by Andrea Estes, Globe Staff | April 1, 2009
A longtime aide and political operative who served as chief counsel in Salvatore F. DiMasi's State House office is cooperating under a grant of immunity with federal authorities investigating the former House speaker and several friends and associates, according to two people briefed on the development.
The immunity agreement means that the aide, lawyer Daniel Toscano, must answer questions, without fear of prosecution, before a grand jury about what he knew of alleged efforts by Richard Vitale, lobbyist Richard McDonough, and others to advance their business interests with the help of the speaker's office....
Precisely what Toscano knows about the controversies swirling around the former speaker is unclear.... Toscano did not return phone calls seeking comment, nor did his lawyer, Robert Griffith. DiMasi's lawyer, Thomas Kiley, declined comment for this report.
Toscano, who worked for DiMasi for 15 years, was one of the speaker's closest advisers, a problem-solver and troubleshooter whom other lawmakers would call when they needed political help from the speaker's office.
He doled out House staff positions and pay raises; he moved legislation up on the House schedule; and he helped secure state jobs for DiMasi's constituents, according to interviews with several lawmakers who requested anonymity because they did not want to appear disloyal to DiMasi.
WTF, sig heil? Why? HE'S GONE!!!!!
Toscano also worked for DiMasi in his North End district and even helped organize the annual Columbus Day parade. A skilled golfer, he played frequently with DiMasi or in the speaker's place at charity golf tournaments, one lawmaker said.
Should the state be appropriating money for a "multimillion-dollar reconstruction" of golf courses because SAL PLAYS THERE?
It NEVER ENDS here in Massachushitts!!!!
As much as anyone on DiMasi's staff, Toscano would know about the office's inner workings and its contacts with DiMasi's associates, lobbyists, and other state officials, several lawmakers and aides said. "He was involved with everything Sal was doing," one legislator said. "My operating assumption is he knew everything that was going on."
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