Bid to Tighten Integrity Laws

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick last week filed legislation to tighten current lobbying laws and increase stiffer penalties for corruption charges based on the findings of a special task force on public integrity.

The governor formed the 13-member committee in late November after federal officials charged former state Sen. Diane Wilkerson, D-Boston, on Nov. 18 with eight counts of corruption charges for allegedly accepting more than $23,500 in return for her influence over potential liquor licenses and land-development contracts. Wilkerson resigned shortly after her indictment.

“Right now, thanks to several recent serious charges of misconduct, our citizens are questioning the integrity of their government,” Patrick said in a press release. “Now is the time to assure ourselves and the public that the consequences for breaching the public trust will be serious, swift, and certain.”

The legislation would increase the maximum penalty for bribery to $100,000 and 10 years in prison from $5,000 and three years behind bars, among other punishment increases for public corruption. The measure would also give stricter definitions for lobbying, decrease allowable incidental lobbying time, and expand enforcement authority.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM BOND BUYER