Bay State Banner on Wilkerson

End of an era

Dianne Wilkerson has been the most productive holder of the Second Suffolk District’s seat in the state Senate since its establishment in 1972. She brought intellectual acuity and the skills of an accomplished lawyer to the office.

Her many achievements include extending the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act to insurance companies, requiring police departments to provide racial data in an effort to combat so-called “driving while black” harassment, providing funds for witness protection to counter the “stop snitching” code, and authoring laws designed to prevent insurance redlining and predatory lending practices.

The Bay State Banner has always endorsed Wilkerson’s achievements, even though her administrative irregularities were troubling. She failed to file tax returns for several years and she violated state campaign finance laws on multiple occasions. The Banner viewed these charges as unfortunate blemishes on an otherwise productive career.

But now, Wilkerson has been arrested by the FBI and Boston police, and stands charged with the felony of extorting payment from constituents for official services. The photographic evidence in support of these charges is compelling; investigators also claim to have audio and video recordings of Wilkerson’s misdeeds. It is evident that Wilkerson has breached the public trust. Consequently, the Banner can no longer support Wilkerson for public office.

- Bay State Banner