Council president terminates bribery investigation on Turner
January 18th, 2009 | Category: pressSays court motion could hinder work of the fact-finder
By John C. Drake, Globe Staff | January 14, 2009
Boston City Council President Michael P. Ross yesterday abruptly terminated the council’s independent investigation into the federal bribery charges against Councilor Chuck Turner, reversing the course set by his predecessor, Maureen Feeney.
Feeney last year retained retired federal magistrate judge Charles B. Swartwood III to analyze the government’s bribery case against Turner and issue a report to the City Council, setting the stage for a potential vote on whether to seek Turner’s removal.
But Ross said a recent motion by federal prosecutors in Turner’s felony case - which would prevent Turner from discussing the evidence against him - could keep the independent fact-finder from getting Turner’s side.
In an interview, Ross also said he did not think the estimated price tag on Swartwood’s probe, $50,000, was worth it.
“It’s not something that I think will aid us in our ultimate decision,” Ross said. “If we feel like we need to act on Councilor Turner, then let’s act on Councilor Turner. But I don’t need a report to do that.”
Turner was arrested at his City Council office on Nov. 21 by federal agents and charged with accepting a $1,000 bribe from an FBI cooperating witness who was seeking a liquor license. He has also been indicted on conspiracy charges, along with former state senator Dianne Wilkerson, who was arrested in the same undercover operation.
“As stated previously, an investigation by a fact-finder and a public report to the council would damage my right to a fair trial,” Turner said in a statement praising Ross’s decision.
Ross sent a letter to the city’s corporation counsel, William Sinnott, today asking that Swartwood’s work be suspended. Additionally, Ross said he was submitting a new council rule: if a member is convicted of a felony, the council immediately would vote on whether that member is fit to serve.
Ross’s moves essentially set aside the council’s reaction to the accusations against Turner and eliminate the need for any other action until his case is over. In the meantime, Turner, who has repeatedly declared his innocence, will continue serving on the council.
“It serves us no purpose to have this hanging in front of the council while we have important business to do,” Ross said. “This issue for now is behind us and the work of the people is before us.”
Ross said he was restoring Turner’s membership to various council committees, but would continue to prevent him from serving as chairman of the Education and Human Rights committees. Feeney had responded to Turner’s arrest by stripping him of his committee assignments and chairmanships and seeking the fact-finder.
Before he was elected president, Ross said he supported the process Feeney put in place after Turner’s November arrest. Ross insisted today that he was not passing judgment on Feeney’s handling of Turner, but said the prosecutor’s motion and the cost of the investigation made the fact-finding process a bad idea.
Feeney said she supported Ross’s decision.
“These challenging times for our body and for this city require difficult decisions,” Feeney said in a statement. “I have faith in his leadership.”
John C. Drake can be reached at jdrake@globe.com.
