Patrick: More FBI collusion possible in Bulger case
Governor Deval Patrick speculated today that authorities may uncover more damaging revelations about the FBI’s collusion with James “Whitey’’ Bulger now that the fugitive mobster has been captured and is apparently talking to investigators.
“This case has not reflected well on the FBI,’’ the governor said on his monthly appearance on WTKK-FM, noting that FBI agents helped protect Bulger from prosecution in the 1980s and 1990s. “There are a whole lot of us wondering if there’s going to be more revelations if Whitey Bulger is going to talk.’’
Patrick said he has spoken about the case with state troopers who served on the task force that hunted Bulger for years. “I feel like there’s this whole backstory I have to learn, but some of the stories are really chilling,’’ he said on WTKK-FM.
The governor also addressed the recent conviction on corruption charges of former House speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, the inability of legislative leaders to reach a budget accord, and the apparently brightening prospects for casino gambling legislation.
He firmly rejected US Attorney Carmen Ortiz’s assertion that DiMasi’s conviction in a bribery scheme struck a blow against the “culture of corruption’’ on Beacon Hill. Indeed, he said no such culture exists. The people he works with “overwhelmingly run to work to do good,’’ Patrick said. “I just don’t believe in guilt by association.’’
Patrick said he is continuing to hold closed-door negotiations with House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray, in hopes of reaching agreement on legislation to legalize casinos in Massachusetts.
He added that the goal is to get Beacon Hill’s three main power brokers to support the legislation in private so that, by the time it hits the House and Senate floor, it will sail through without much resistance.
“My hope is that the next time it comes forward we have agreement on the big issues, so it doesn’t suck all the air out of the building,’’ Patrick said. “I think we’re going to find common ground there.’’
Critics have blasted Patrick for holding those closed-door negotiations, saying it shuts competing voices out of the deliberations and all but assures the bill will pass once it is debated in the Legislature. But Patrick argued that even if he reaches a gambling agreement with DeLeo and Murray, the bill is “not a done deal,’’ because Murray and DeLeo will still have to round up the necessary votes.
Patrick also said he is disappointed that the state will not have a budget in place by the start of the fiscal year tomorrow, the first time in three years that the state budget will be late. Patrick said he is not sure what the sticking points are between House and Senate negotiators, who have been unable to reconcile their differences and send the $30.5 billion plan to Patrick for approval.
“They need to get their work done, and I hope they’re going to do that right through, every day, until it’s complete,’’ the governor said.
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