Former state probation chief John J. O’Brien and two top aides are accused of running their department like a criminal enterprise, handing out jobs to the friends of state legislators in exchange for favors.
The allegations have roiled Beacon Hill, as the months-long trial subjected the conduct of key officials to intense scrutiny. Prosecutors accused legislative leaders including House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray of influencing hiring in the Probation Department.
Defense attorneys say O’Brien and his aides were simply practicing political patronage, and that their actions were no different than many others that play out in state government.
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Below is information about the charges against O’Brien. The verdicts will be updated as they come in.
1. Mail fraud Alleged in the hiring on or about May 20, 2008, of Patrick Lawton.Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison
Verdict: Guilty
2. Mail fraud Alleged in the hiring on or about April 8, 2008, of Kelly Manchester.Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison
Verdict: Guilty
3. Mail fraud Alleged in the hiring on or about March 11, 2008, of Melissa Melia.Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison
Verdict: Guilty
4. Mail fraud Alleged in the hiring on or about March 11, 2008, of Patricia Mosca.Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison
Verdict: Guilty
5. Mail fraud Alleged in the hiring on or about Aug. 30, 2007, of Michael White.Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison
Verdict: Not guilty
6. Mail fraud Alleged in the hiring on or about Aug. 30, 2007, of Kevin O’Brien.Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison
Verdict: Not guilty
7. Mail fraud Alleged in the hiring on or about Aug. 30, 2007, of Mari-Elena Sanchez.Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison
Verdict: Not guilty
8. Mail fraud Alleged in the hiring on or about Aug. 30, 2007, of Anthony Mataragas.Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison
Verdict: Not guilty
9. Racketeering Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison
Verdict: Guilty
10: Conspiracy to engage in racketeering Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison.
Verdict: Guilty
Related coverage:
• Spotlight Report: Patronage in the Probation Department
• Farragher: Favoritism hurtled to a corrupt extreme
• House colleagues say speaker system branded unfairly
• Jury hears of power play in probation case
• Robert DeLeo in glare at Probation hiring trial
• Probation officials practiced simple patronage, lawyer says
• Probation case focus on lawmakers may backfire
• O’Brien declines to testify as prosecution rests
• DeLeo denies trading favors for probation jobs
• Ex-judge grilled on probation hiring
• Yvonne Abraham: Grimy politics on display at probation trial