Chuck Turner: ‘No reason’ to step down

Chuck Turner: ‘No reason’ to step down
By Dave Wedge  |   Sunday, November 14, 2010  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Politics

VOTING NO ON QUITTING: Chuck Turner refuses to leave his post in City Council chambers without a fight.
Photo by Herald file

Embattled City Councilor Chuck Turner said he was “surprised” Mayor Thomas M. Menino called on him to step down and again pledged to serve out his term, despite his recent federal corruption conviction.

“The mayor knows that during my 11 years as councilor there has never been even a hint of financial impropriety,” Turner told the Herald yesterday. “He knows in his heart of hearts there’s no reason why I can’t serve out my term.”

Menino last week called on Turner to resign, citing the councilor’s conviction last month for taking a $1,000 bribe and lying to federal agents. Turner is awaiting January sentencing; the council has set a Dec. 1 hearing to determine whether he should be expelled from the board.

Turner called Menino’s statements “political” and said the mayor should not judge him for a corruption case that he claims “the FBI cooked up.”

“I voted against all the fat-cat projects,” Turner said. “There is nothing (improper) he or anyone else could cite.”

Turner has pledged to serve out his term. And he said he has abandoned plans to appeal — for now.

“At the moment, an appeal — I just can’t see any value,” he said.

“I don’t have any interest in trying to persuade anyone I’m not guilty or that the jury made a mistake. I believe the jury did make a mistake and history will certainly vindicate me.”

Turner has compared himself to former Mayor James Michael Curley, who continued to serve despite felony convictions.

Council President Michael Ross said he plans to make a motion at next month’s hearing, but won’t say if he’ll be seeking Turner’s ouster.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1296160