State Contracts - Gov - Patrick - Businessweek

By BOB SALSBERG

Story Tools

digg this

Gov. Deval Patrick testified Friday of which an old Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi pushed your ex in order to approve a software agreement which prosecutors allege ended up being portion of a DiMasi kickback scheme.

Patrick testified Friday that throughout a breakfast getting together with for the Four Seasons Hotel in 2007 DiMasi explained to him: "That deal is essential to me."

Patrick explained DiMasi ended up being referring to some sort of functionality software software deal for your firm Cognos, although certainly not talked about Cognos through name. DiMasi along with two co-defendants are facing u . s . corruption charges.

Patrick likewise testified that immediately after The Boston Globe announced with 2008 which the particular express Inspector General's business office appeared to be investigating this Cognos contract, an upset DiMasi challenged your pet and accused this governor's team of seeping situation towards newspaper.

"He was furious plus disappointed within the posting and this individual believed our personnel experienced leaked info for the Globe within the inspector general's review," Patrick explained throughout court.

Prosecutors allege in which DiMasi plus co-defendants Richard McDonough and Richard Vitale schemed to utilize DiMasi's clout while phone speaker that will drive a pair of state deals to Cognos as a swap intended for kickbacks.

Earlier Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf refused a new safeguard movement to help strike testimony by way of former top rated Patrick official.

Defense lawyers labeled Secretary involving Administration along with Finance Leslie Kirwan's testimony "extremely prejudicial."

Kirwan testified Thursday which the lady couldn't have brought in a contract with Cognos in the event she'd acknowledged DiMasi gotten money the business compensated in order to his / her legislations affiliate or perhaps that DiMasi's friend as well as co-defendant, Richard Vitale, had happen to be compensated $500,000.

On Friday, prosecutors called to be able to an e-mail Kirwan experienced delivered to another administration public within August 2007 following your woman signed off for the contract. The $13 million contract ended up being the second associated with two assert plans Cognos picked up in 2006 and 2007.

"Everyone is happy. Hope that huge chap down the particular hall can be too," Kirwan wrote.

Kirwan testified how the "big guy" mentioned DiMasi.