Mass. ethics panel recommends higher penalties

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Mass. ethics panel recommends higher penalties

By CBS 3 Springfield News

Story Published: Jan 6, 2009 at 3:32 PM EST

Story Updated: Jan 6, 2009 at 3:32 PM EST

BOSTON (AP) - A gubernatorial panel charged with proposing
changes to the state's ethics laws is recommending a dramatic
increase in prison time for bribery, as well as wiretapping power
for the attorney general.

Gov. Deval Patrick appointed the panel after the October arrest
of Sen. Dianne Wilkerson on bribery charges.

In proposals released Tuesday, the panel recommended increasing
the maximum punishment for bribery to $100,000 and 10 years in
prison, from $5,000 and three years.

It also said the attorney general should be allowed to record
conversations in corruption investigations, with judicial approval.

Among its other recommendations: increasing the civil penalty
for those who violate conflict of interest laws from $2,000 to as
much as $10,000.

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