Boston councilman charged in bribery case

BOSTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A Boston city councilman was charged with bribery Friday in an investigation that has already brought down a Massachusetts state senator.

FBI agents arrested Chuck Turner at City Hall, the Boston Herald reported. He allegedly received a $1,000 bribe in return for helping Dejavu, a nightclub in the Roxbury neighborhood, get a liquor license.

State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, D-Boston, who had been ousted by the voters in this year's Democratic primary, resigned this week after she was indicted on federal charges. Wilkerson allegedly received $23,500 for the nightclub license.

In an affidavit, the FBI said that Turner was caught on videotape in a backroom in his district office taking cash from a witness who had agreed to cooperate in the investigation. On the tape, the councilman allegedly smiled as he was handed $1,000 and told to "take the wife to dinner."

"I don't know what to say," Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouthm said after learning of the second arrest. "We are all cooperating and will continue to cooperate."