The Hiller Instinct: Hiller Instinct: Digging for the Truth

Attorney General Tom Reilly
"You can see by the effort we put into it over the last seven years that we're serious about this..."

But serious doesn't mean successful. After nearly eight years in office and at least six different investigations into fraud, waste and abuse, Reilly's big dig report card has two big zeros: zero money recovered, and zero convictions.

In a joint investigation with the US Attorney, Reilly was involved with a half-dozen arrests in may at a big dig concrete supplier, Aggregate Industries.

Reilly says, "It shows that we've gone at this as hard as we possibly can..."

It does?

Reilly insists there'd be more, if it weren't for the political connections of Bechtel, the Big Dig's project manager.

Attorney General Tom Reilly
"They have friends in high places. All the way through this they had friends in high places."

Reilly says Bechtel was ready to pay the state $85 million for past problems, but he terminated the deal when he began his criminal investigation of the Big Dig tunnel collapse.

Attorney General Tom Reilly
"We have that money whenever we want that money, but I am not going to take it from Bechtel and relieve them from responsibility for what happened here."

But the US Attorney says that's not what happened at all. Michael Sullivan claims he killed the deal...not Reilly...and that Reilly wanted it.

Attorney General Tom Reilly
"The final chapter is not yet written about Bechtel."

...which is the same thing he says about Modern Continental.

Attorney General Tom Reilly
"The story with Modern is not done yet."

Modern Continental's story--so far--is that it built the I-93 tunnel walls that sprung leaks in September, 2004...and the ceiling in the I-90 connector that crashed down last month, killing Milena Del Valle.

A 7News review of Reilly's campaign contributions shows he's received more than six thousand dollars from Modern Continental employees since 1998, including $1,500 from company founder Les Marino, and more than $14,000 from the law firm that represents Modern.

Andy Hiller says, "Modern Continental built the tunnel that collapsed. They gave you money. It's part of what's driving your campaign. Why keep it?

Attorney General Tom Reilly
"Modern Continental is under criminal investigation right now. As is, as is Bechtel."

Reilly has also received just under $3,000 from a plugged-in p.r. and lobbying firm that represents Bechtel. The firm is headed by Tom O'neill, the son of Tip O'neill, the former house speaker who pushed the Big Dig through congress. On his company's web site, a Bechtel senior v.p. calls O'neill, "a strong partner."

Attorney General Tom Reilly
"What i'm telling you--there are no contributions that influence the judgments that were made."

All told, Reilly has received more than sixty-eight thousand dollars from big dig contractors, designers, lawyers and lobbyists. He stopped accepting them from contractors last year, when he took over cost recovery efforts...but still accepts the others.

Hiller
" Why not give it back? That's what I'm asking."

Attorney General Tom Reilly
"We will see what the results are."

And Reilly says he's very proud of his results.

Hiller
"Is your record on the Big Dig a reflection of your abilities?"

Attorney General Tom Reilly
"We have worked very hard and we have six individuals under indictment."

Reilly is betting his future on state voters seeing it the same way he does. If they do, he could be the next governor. But, if they don't, he won't be...and all his investigations will end, because he won't be attorney general, either.

(Copyright (c) 2006 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)