Former Speaker Finneran Indicted on Perjury, Obstruction of Justice Charges
By Michael P. Norton for the State House News Service
       Former House Speaker Thomas Finneran will be arraigned next week on three federal perjury charges and one count of obstruction of justice, all charges that stem from his allegedly false and misleading testimony in a 2003 redistricting case.
       If convicted on all charges, Finneran, a Democrat whose popularity on Beacon Hill earned him the nickname Speaker for Life, faces a maximum of 25 years in prison and $1 million in fines. But under federal sentencing guidelines, he’s likely to face between 16 and 21 months in prison if convicted, US Attorney Michael Sullivan said.
       “The position of Speaker of the House and a member of the bar carries extraordinary power and responsibility,” Sullivan said Monday afternoon as he announced the 21-page grand jury indictments. “When a people’s representative or a member of the bar perjure themselves and obstruct justice, as alleged in this case, it is a severe breach of the public trust and serves to diminish confidence in government and undermines the integrity of our judicial process.”
       In a separate statement, Kenneth W. Kaiser, special agent in charge of the FBI, said: “When a lawmaker considers himself above the law by allegedly committing perjury and obstructing justice, these actions offend the public who expect elected officials to be held to a higher standard.”
       In a statement, Finneran said he is not guilty, cited his own “unquestioned
integrity,” and suggested “questionable motives and machinations” on the part of federal prosecutors.
       “My response to the charges brought against me today is NOT GUILTY,” Finneran wrote in his statement released through his legal team and attorney Thomas Dreschler. “My family and I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will have no further comment.”