Sal DiMasi at a pre-hearing conference on his appeal of Bill Galvin’s decision banning him from registering as a lobbyist. (Kim Tunnicliffe/WBZ NewsRadio)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Sal DiMasi wasn't required to attend a downtown Boston hearing Thursday regarding his being barred from becoming a lobbyist, but he did, along with his lawyer.
The former Massachusetts House speaker, who was convicted in federal court in 2011 on public corruption charges and spent several years in jail, is fighting the state for permission to become a State House lobbyist.
DiMasi's charges themselves—mail fraud, wire fraud, and extortion—are not included as disqualifying convictions when someone registers as a lobbyist, but Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin banned DiMasi from registering, saying his conviction includes conduct that is in violation of the law.
DiMasi served five years of his eight-year sentence, and was released from prison early as he battled throat and prostate cancer.
Now, DiMasi is appealing, claiming he has a constitutional right to lobby on Beacon Hill.
A thin-looking DiMasi left the hearing and uttered a quiet "no comment right now" as he was swarmed by reporters.
The next hearing on the matter will be held September 17.
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WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports