January 12, 2009 DiMasi friend denies influence-peddling Play video

(NECN: Kristen Caira, Boston, Mass.) - An accountant accused of using his friendship with Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi to push ticket-scalping legislation appeared in court today. Richard Vitale pleaded not guilty to 10 charges during his arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court.

Vitale has been free on personal recognizance.

Vitale's lawyer also succeeded in blocking prosecutors from releasing an 18-page summary of the case, which he said could prejudice the jury pool. Judge Peter Lauriat agreed, but said he would consider a much shorter summary if prosecutors want to submit it later.

Prosecutors say Vitale concealed his work as a lobbyist on behalf of ticket brokers and used his connections to DiMasi to win House approval of the legislation. The bill later stalled in the Senate.