FILE– This Jan. 7, 2009 file photograph shows Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi acknowledging applause from the chamber as he bangs the gavel after being re-elected at the Statehouse in Boston. Federal officials are recommending an early release from prison for DiMasi as he battles cancer. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons is filing a notice in court saying it’s requesting compassionate release for the once-powerful Democrat, who has served almost five years of an eight-year term for corruption. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
BOSTON (AP) — Federal officials are recommending early release from prison for former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi as he battles cancer.
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons and federal prosecutors filed a court notice requesting that DiMasi’s sentence be reduced to time already served so he can be released immediately. The once-powerful Democrat has served almost five years of an eight-year prison term for corruption.
Since his 2011 conviction, DiMasi was diagnosed with tongue cancer and later prostate cancer.
Thursday’s compassionate release recommendation for DiMasi is intended for inmates with terminal illnesses as well as elderly inmates who have served a significant portion of their sentences. A judge must approve the request.
The 71-year-old DiMasi, a Democrat, was convicted of steering state contracts to a software firm in exchange for $65,000 in payments.
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