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Political wrangling to replace him began early this year. Charges against his personal accountant/campaign treasurer/friend are going to be brought to the grand jury where indictment is almost always forthcoming. His law partner, from whom he had a peculiar low-interest loan, took money from a hard-charging hi-tech company trying to secure a multi-million dollar contract in the state. Another friend was hired to lobby for ticket scalper resellers. His wife has a job with New England Cable News.
Of course there's are ongoing ethics investigations of House Speaker Sal DiMasi. The Globe speculates that DiMasi doesn't want to bring the legislature back into session to consider emergency spending cuts because he doesn't have the power he once had. HIs days are numbered, but what is the number?
House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, facing investigations focused on financial dealings of his close associates, is resisting calls for the Legislature to return to Beacon Hill in emergency session to consider Governor Deval Patrick's plan to address the state's financial crisis.
DiMasi told House members last week in a closed-door caucus that he does not want to risk opening the legislative agenda to issues not related to Patrick's budget-cutting proposals.
But there is a debate at the State House over whether DiMasi is also wary of losing his grip on the House, now that Attorney General Martha Coakley has launched a grand jury to investigate DiMasi's personal accountant and former campaign treasurer, who accepted large payments from businesses seeking state contracts and favorable legislation.
Despite his repeated entreaties for months, DiMasi also has been unable to quell organizing efforts within the House by two people who are vying to succeed him: Robert DeLeo, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and John Rogers, the majority leader.
DiMasi's unwillingness to summon lawmakers back to deal with the economic crisis dominating headlines is a source of frustration for some lawmakers as they campaign for reelection in their home districts.
"It's amazing. There is an obvious desire by leadership to avoid our coming together," said Representative Paul Casey, Democrat of Winchester, a sometime critic of DiMasi. "We as a Legislature have looked inept and wary of any action. We want to be proactive, not just victims.
Senate President Therese Murray has not proposed returning in emergency session, but she is open to the idea. "She is ready to bring the Legislature back," said someone who has been briefed on Murray's deliberations.
Jay Kaufman, a Democrat from Lexington and a member of DiMasi's leadership team, said the House members are divided over whether they need to come back early.
--Mb
