Wednesday Morning: Key Witness Testifies In DiMasi Trial

Published May 11, 2011

Sal DiMasi’s longtime law associate, compelled by federal prosecutors to testify against the man he calls his mentor, took the stand yesterday as a key witness in the former House speaker’s corruption trial. The government alleges Steven Topazio, who is not on trial, funneled payments to DiMasi from a software company hoping to receive a state contract.

The content of ads on T property will be examined more closely, according to the MBTA, after T riders complained about the “Judgment Day” ads seen around town. A group called Family Radio sponsored a nationwide ad campaign claiming that the end of days is approaching — on May 21, to be exact.

Dee Dee Milton traveled from Revere to Kathmandu, Nepal, to adopt a daughter. After she took custody, however, she couldn’t get her daughter a U.S. visa after the U.S. shutdown all adoptions from Nepal, alleging corruption and fraud. Months later, she and her daughter are home in Revere, confounded by confusing U.S. policy.

State Police last night arrested a man on the tarmac at Logan who had allegedly tried to open a plane door mid-flight. Witnesses said the man appeared to be drunk and that the flight crew removed the man from the exit row of the Orlando to Boston flight.

The Celtics face a must-win game in Miami tonight, down 3-1 in their playoff series against the Heat. Is this the end for Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and company?

What we’re following: We’ll continue to report on a possible tax on soda, the vigil for reporters being held in Libya and the Constitutional Convention on Beacon Hill.