A federal judge on Thursday ignored sentencing guidelines and the recommendations of prosecutors – as well as his own history – before handing out much lighter-than-expected sentences to former Probation commissioner John O’Brien and two top deputies, putting the onus for the “sophistry and hypocrisy” of political patronage squarely on the shoulders of the state’s […]
Patronage on Trial
Coverage of the federal racketeering trial of former Probation Commissioner John O’Brien.
Posted inPolitics
Judge signals stiff terms for O’Brien, aides
Prosecutors in the federal trial of former Probation commissioner John O’Brien and his two top deputies said on Wednesday they will not pursue bribery charges after the judge indicated he would hand down substantial prison time for O’Brien and his aides on their racketeering and mail fraud convictions. The announcement by Assistant US Attorney Fred […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics
Ruling increases O’Brien prison time
A federal judge said on Thursday that John O’Brien’s prison time will be significantly increased because the convicted former Probation commissioner “abused a position of public trust.” O’Brien was convicted this summer of mail fraud, racketeering, and conspiracy charges in connection with a rigged hiring system he ran at the Probation Department designed to curry […]
Posted inPolitics
Prosecutors: Nothing new in O’Brien motion
Federal prosecutors on Wednesday dismissed claims by attorneys for former Probation commissioner John O’Brien and two top deputies that they had “newly discovered evidence” that a top judge lied under oath about legislative influence in hiring, saying Judge Robert Mulligan testified “ad naseum” about the existence of sponsor lists for court officers. Defense attorneys on […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Mulligan testimony likely untruthful – defense lawyers
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Defense attorneys, who represent three former probation officials convicted of secretly rigging the hiring system, are accusing former Chief Justice of Administration and Management Robert Mulligan of “likely” testifying untruthfully in the trial. Mulligan was a key witness in the trial of former Probation Commissioner John O’Brien and two former deputies, […]
Posted inPolitics
Probation lawyers say jury asked too many questions
Lawyers for the three Probation officials convicted of racketeering and mail fraud filed motions on Tuesday seeking their clients’ acquittal, in part claiming the federal trial judge’s decision to allow jurors to ask questions of witnesses turned the men and women of the jury into “mini G-Men and Women.” Jeffrey Denner, one of the attorneys […]
Posted inPolitics
Probation juror says DeLeo should have been on trial
One of the jurors in the Probation Department corruption trial sent an email to a radio talk show host on Thursday saying he felt House Speaker Robert DeLeo should have been on trial instead of former Probation commissioner John O’Brien and two of his top aides. O’Brien and two top deputies, Elizabeth Tavares and William […]
Posted inPolitics
The long arm of Probation
The fallout from the Probation scandal appears to have gone beyond state lines and could have an impact on sentencing for former commissioner John O’Brien and his two top deputies. O’Brien, Elizabeth Tavares, and William Burke III are scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 12 after a jury found them guilty of racketeering and mail fraud […]
Posted inPolitics
Q&A on Probation case
The following information was gleaned from discussions with a variety of sources close to the Probation Department case involving former commissioner John O’Brien and his top aides, Elizabeth Tavares and William Burke III. The three defendants were found guilty of various charges last week. Another trial is possible, but the situation is fluid and legal […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
DeLeo criticizes Ware, calls him unprofessional
House Speaker Robert DeLeo over the weekend lashed out at Paul Ware for suggesting a statement Ware made in 2010 should not be construed as clearing the Speaker of any wrongdoing in the Probation Department scandal. DeLeo, in a statement released late Saturday afternoon, said it was puzzling why Ware, the independent counsel who investigated […]