Schadenfreude...

Dianne Wilkerson accused of taking $23G in bribes

In a Beacon Hill brasserie just feet from the State House, where oysters on the half shell will set most back a tank of gas, Sen. Dianne Wilkerson slithered a greased palm up her cardigan and stuffed $1,000 in bribe money into her bra, federal prosecutors allege.

On any given weekday, No. 9 Park is the place for an ambitious legislator to be seen chewing the fat. But on June 18, 2007, Wilkerson, 54, was apparently unaware that the government informant who’d just handed her 10 $100 bills allegedly in exchange for her twisting the arms of a who’s who of political powerbrokers to obtain one liquor license had brought a hidden camera to lunch, as well.

I wonder if we will finally be able to put this criminal in jail, rather than back on Beacon Hill?

And, just because I can't savor this moment enough:

A Closer Look At Wilkerson's Alleged Bribery

Which details the allegations along with pictures of Wilkerson actually hiding the bribes.

And:

Wilkerson Allegations Disappoint Politicians

I love this:

In the months before her September primary loss, it wasn't uncommon to see Wilkerson standing with Democratic leaders. At a news conference announcing the repeal of a 1913 law, she was praised by House Speaker Sal DiMasi and Gov. Deval Patrick.

On Tuesday, Gov. Patrick issued this statement: "The initial reports are both troubling and sad. These are very serious charges and I will trust the judicial process to take them seriously."

Mayor Thomas Menino, according to the affidavit, was lobbied by Wilkerson on behalf of someone who was allegedly bribing her.

Yeah, there's certainly nothing in Wilkerson's past to indicate she might have more than a passing familiarity with the MA criminal code and the penalties for breaking certain elements. You know, like Federal tax evasion or repeated campaign finance violations...

Sometimes, bad things happen to bad people, too.

That is all.