The embattled senator has represented her district — which includes Dorchester, Roxbury and Jamaica Plain — since 1993. But she’s also had multiple run-ins with the law, including facing tax evasion charges, paying a $10,000 fine earlier this year for past campaign finance violations and recent allegations she lied under oath during her nephew’s manslaughter trial.
Dianne Wilkerson resigned from the state Senate yesterday, amid federal charges she took $23,500 in bribes from undercover officers and pressure from her colleagues to step down.
It has been 22 days since Wilkerson was arrested after a lengthy federal investigation. In that time, the Senate unanimously called for her to resign, she scrapped her write-in campaign against Sonia Chang-Diaz and she reportedly told a judge she doesn’t have the money to pay for her defense attorney.
Two weeks ago, Wilkerson said she would resign once all necessary business to close out her office had been finished. Yesterday morning, the 53-year-old Wilkerson gave a short handwritten letter to Senate President Therese Murray explaining her intention to resign — one day after being indicted by a grand jury. She later released a statement confirming that action to reporters, who were staked outside Wilkerson’s office for hours. Neither statement mentioned the charges.
Last month, federal authorities accused Wilkerson of accepting money to secure a liquor license for a Roxbury nightclub and to provide political favors for people she believed were out-of-state businessmen.
Authorities have also released what have become widely-publicized surveillance photos of Wilkerson allegedly stuffing money into her bra during the cash exchanges.