The Hiller Instinct: Speaker DiMasi's Election

If there's a name on the ethical cloud over DiMasi, it's Richard Vitale, his long time friend, former accountant and campaign treasurer.

Vitale was indicted last month for influence peddling, for using his relationship with DiMasi to help clients win a $13 million state contract and change ticket-scalping laws.

"I've never acted in a way to favor the actions of any individual," DiMasi said.

But DiMasi isn't so straightforward talking about a $250,000 low interest rate mortgage Vitale gave him on his Commercial Street condo, a mortgage he paid off after questions about Vitale arose:

"Well, you make a payment, you get a discharge," DiMasi said.

Andy Hiller, 7News
"Well, do you give them $250,000 in ones? Don't you have to pay them a check?"

Sal DiMasi
"No, no, I pay them in a check."

Andy Hiller, 7News
"Can we see a copy?"

Sal DiMasi
"The check is a personal check, and...whatever the balance was, I paid."

Andy Hiller, 7News
"So no. The answer is no, we can't."

DiMasi's reputation is also hurt by the history of former House Speakers:

"I'm truly sorry," Tom Finneran said.

Finneran, the Speaker DiMasi replaced--was convicted of trying to mislead Federal prosecutors about a redistricting bill.

And Charlie Flaherty, the speaker before Finneran, pleaded guilty to tax evasion.

"I have done nothing to violate the public trust," Flaherty said.

Expect Sal DiMasi to be re-elected speaker tomorrow and by a wide margin.

And expect suspicion about him to remain just as wide.

So far, DiMasi's only crime is guilt by association.

That's smoke, but no fire.

I'm Andy Hiller and that's my instinct.

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