Judge denies dismissing case against ex-Mass. speaker but is weighing hearing on newer charges

Judge: Case against ex-Mass. speaker can proceed

BOSTON — A federal judge has declined to dismiss corruption charges against former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and three co-defendants.

But Judge Mark Wolf also said Wednesday that he would consider holding a hearing on whether allegations included in an expanded indictment last fall should be included in the case. The defense has argued that some details are not related closely enough to the original case to be a part of it.

The initial indictment accuses the former speaker, a Boston Democrat, and his three co-defendants of a scheme to rig two lucrative state contracts for the software company Cognos in exchange for payments. The expanded indictment added an extortion count against DiMasi. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty.

(This version CORRECTS that newer charge filed against DiMasi, sted all four defendants))