Boston.com:

A jury in federal court in Boston today found former House speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi guilty of conspiring to exploit one of the most powerful offices in Massachusetts by helping a software company win multimillion-dollar state contracts in exchange for kickbacks. DiMasi was found guilty on seven of nine counts against him, including conspiracy to defraud citizens of his honest services and extortion.

Sal DiMasi has been one of the great heroes of Massachusetts politics: The shepherd of universal health care and equal marriage; defender against casinos; friend of municipalities in health care costs; and mostly an enormously helpful, competent, and knowledgeable partner and foil to the governor.

And he is also a crook.

That’s just sad. No good comes out of this, except that one hopes that finally our Speakers of the House will act with comprehensive integrity and restraint.