Trial

Turner loyalists just fooling themselvesBy Joe Fitzgerald | http://www.bostonherald.com | Columnists Photo by Matthew Healey (file) Chuck Turner says he’s “surprised” Tom Menino would call for his resignation from the City Council, as if it’s odd that a mayor would distance himself from the odious presence of a sticky-fingered pol. The only thing “odd” about Menino’s ultimatum is his willingness to lock horns with this disgraced Roxbury felon, given the shameful silence of other office-holders who appear to be terrorized by Turner’s ruthless demagoguery. Likening himself to slaves “who were whipped and lashed and hung,” the convicted councilor has the repulsive gall to cast himself as a martyr, wrapping himself in the robes of those who suffered for human dignity, for basic justice, as if he, too, had lost his liberty in the pursuit of something noble. But where’s the nobility in being identified as a crook by a jury of your peers? Where’s the nobility in accepting a bribe? Where’s the nobility in being exposed as a two-bit hustler willing to sell his soul for a measly grand? Contrition? Please. Try defiance. Little wonder Chuck’s “surprised” that Menino would take the high road, since it’s clearly “the road less traveled” by the political lemmings who masquerade as public servants in this town. Now Chuck’s producing a batch of letters from diehard loyalists who profess to love him despite his shortcomings, which says more about them than it does about him; it’s not unlike those bizarre marriage proposals sent by sentimental dolts to incarcerated barbarians. Who can explain such wayward affections, other than surmising they have simply allowed their hearts to overrule their heads. As for black history, which he soils with his self-serving exploitation, Chuck brings to mind the words of Frederick Douglass, the famed abolitionist, talking about confronting power: “Find out what people will submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them.” Indeed, most of his constituents know that Chuck Turner’s corruption is not reflective of them. So why submit to him? A few years ago a Mattapan reader named Sheila Gunn called to lament what she felt was an unfair image. “If all you know of Mattapan is what you see on TV or read in the papers, you end up judging all of us by just a little bit of truth. Well, I’m sorry, that’s not fair.” She was right, and it’s no less unfair for residents of Turner’s district to be besmirched by a continuing identity with him. Menino was right. The sooner this fraud is gone, the better. Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1296395

Mass. stamp of approvalBy Natalie Sherman | http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Politics PEN PALS: City Councilor Chuck Turner, convicted of taking a $1,000 bribe and lying to the FBI, is the focus of a supportive letter-writing campaign.Photo by Ted Fitzgerald Letters and petitions with hundreds of signatures asking a federal judge to go easy on convicted City Councilor Chuck Turner have arrived at the U.S. District Court in Boston, echoing Turner’s plea that he didn’t do anything wrong and should be allowed to stay free and in public office. “He’s a good man who may have to spend 20 years in jail. He is a good man who really is not a criminal, not even a white collar criminal,” insisted Lincoln resident Cynthia Ritsher, 76, a member of the Alliance for Democracy, confirming for the Herald that she sent a letter of support. She was one of a number of activists from outside Turner’s District 7 to speak up for him. Last month, a jury convicted Turner of taking a $1,000 bribe and lying to the FBI. The case was part of a broader corruption sting in which former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson pleaded guilty. Turner is due to be sentenced Jan. 25 and could face more than 20 years in prison. As of yesterday, four letters and seven copies of a petition with a total of 265 signatures had been filed asking Judge Douglas Woodcock to give Turner probation so that he can continue to serve on the City Council. “I just think that this is way out of proportion,” letter-writer Alison Gottlieb, 63, of Jamaica Plain, a member of Dorchester for Peace, told the Herald. “Giving people jail time for something like this is a waste of taxpayer money.” Turner has served on the Council since 1999. He has said he will not step down before his term ends next year, despite pressure, including Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s call for his resignation. The City Council will hold a hearing Dec. 1 to determine whether or not to expel Turner from the board. Turner has said he will not run for re-election. Many of the supporters reached yesterday said they don’t know Turner personally or even live in his district, but had collaborated with him on prison reform and peace initiatives through local activist groups. “He has done a tremendous job for the Roxbury district,” said Lizella Reed, 70, of Dorchester, who signed one of the petitions. “I don’t live in that district but I’ve seen the results … All my friends are very pleased with him. They have voted for him over and over again, as has my grandson.” Supporters also said they believed the FBI targeted Turner because he is black. “It’s interesting that the two people he tried to get hold of are Chuck and Dianne Wilkerson, who are both black,” Ritsher said. “That whole racism bit that’s always there.” Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1296394