State senator accused of corruption

BOSTON—Massachusetts state

Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, D-Boston, was released Tuesday on an unsecured $50,000 bond after her arrest for allegedly taking $23,500 in bribes from undercover agents she believed were local businessmen.

Wilkerson made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston. She is charged with attempted extortion as a public official and theft of honest services as a state senator.

She did not enter a plea.

Wilkerson was ordered to have no contact with witnesses and retain any documents related to the case or to her personal finances.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John McNeil asked for the conditions, saying Wilkerson has a “long history of acting as if she is above the law.“

Wilkerson’s attorney, Max Stern, said Wilkerson would obey the judge.