Boston Herald Reporter Dave Wedge asks Rep. Tom Petrolati (D-Ludlow) about the money he took from convicted felons. Story is below.
Sal's No. 2 raked in felons' cash
13 cons have donated $5,800
By Dave Wedge | Friday, April 11, 2008 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Politics
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House Speaker Sal DiMasi's second-in-command, Rep. Thomas Petrolati - a driving force behind major legislation on Beacon Hill - has accepted thousands in campaign contributions from reputed mobsters, bookmakers and a who's who of corrupt Springfield pols, a Herald review has found.
Among the criminals who've contributed to Petrolati, the House speaker pro tempore, is Frank Colantoni, who served 12 years in connection with the 1989 mob hit on Patriarca crime family capo William Grasso. Colantoni, who has a rap sheet dating back to 1983, donated $500 to Petrolati's campaign in 2006, records show.
Reached by phone yesterday, Colantoni said he donated to Petrolati at a friend's request.
"I don't even really know the man, but if a friend comes to me and says the guy's a good guy, help him out. No problem," Colantoni said. "I don't think he can do a thing for me."
A Herald review identified 13 convicted criminals who've donated a total of $5,800 to the Ludlow Democrat. Other felons who've given to Petrolati after their convictions include:
# Anna Santaniello, who was convicted in 1989 of helping run a mob gambling ring;
# Disgraced ex-Springfield City Councilor Francis Keough, who is serving three years for extortion for skimming cash from a homeless shelter;
# Developer Michael Cimmino, who was convicted in 2004 of illegally putting slot machines in Springfield barrooms;
# Restaurant owner Andrew Yee, who was convicted of lying on a loan application in 1990;
# Lobbyist Charlie Kingston, a two-time tax cheat.
Reached outside his State House office this week, Petrolati, who is up for re-election, said he didn't know Colantoni and was "unaware" of any felons on his donor list. Asked if he would return cash contributed by felons, he said: "Absolutely."
In a statement, Petrolati's campaign treasurer James Nascimento said: "The Committee to Re-Elect Thomas M. Petrolati . . . has never knowingly accepted donations from previously convicted felons and, now that it has been made aware of the donations, (they) will be given a refund."
There are no rules against accepting donations from convicted felons. However, many politicians regularly review their donor lists and return contributions from criminals or donors who may pose a conflict of interest.
Pam Wilmot, spokeswoman for the government watchdog group Common Cause, said that although felons' campaign contributions are legal, they could pose a public relations problem for politicians.
"There is a sensational aspect to having a contribution from somebody who is connected to crime and that is something that can be effectively used by an opponent. And that's why most politicians steer away from them," she said.
Petrolati, who worked behind the scenes to help kill Gov. Deval Patrick's casino plans, also has taken campaign cash from several donors later convicted of felonies. Many are former public officials snared in a sweeping FBI corruption takedown in Springfield.Nascimento did not say if Petrolati would return money from donors convicted of felonies after giving contributions.
Messages left by the Herald for donors were not returned.
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