The timing of today’s indictment of two former Boston firefighters, including the infamous “disabled” bodybuilder, Albert Arroyo, and one civilian department employee on various charges related to bogus disability claims isn’t great for mayoral challenger Michael Flaherty. This morning’s Boston Globe gave front-page treatment to the all-out campaign effort the city’s firefighters’ union is giving to Flaherty’s mayoral bid. 

But Mayor Tom Menino’s campaign might think twice before trying to make a lot of hay out of the stories, since the fire department isn’t an area where either candidate is exactly covered in glory. Who looks worse today: the guy who has presided over City Hall for four terms while the city coffers were allegedly being looted for years by firefighters or the guy trying to bump him off, who is counting on the disgruntled firefighters’ union to help make him the man in charge?

Michael Jonas works with Laura in overseeing CommonWealth Beacon coverage and editing the work of reporters. His own reporting has a particular focus on politics, education, and criminal justice reform.