Description: 1975 Boston mayoral race debate between current mayor Kevin White and Senator Joseph Timilty, filmed in WEEI studio. Reporter Mike Ludlum introduces White, Timilty, and City Hall reporter Les Woodruff. Ludlum sets ground rules and itinerary for debate. During debate, discussion of Timilty's accusations against White about "arrogance of power;" cronyism; corruption; CETA hiring abuse; Frog Pond; fundraising pressure; tax allocation. Film artifact obscures image intermittently starting at 00:12:16. Reel 1 of 3.
Collection: Evening Compass, The
Date Created: 10/23/1975
Description: Interview with Attorney General Francis Bellotti about investigating corruption and the McKee-Berger-Mansueto (MBM) scandal.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/07/1978
Description: Suffolk County District Attorney Garrett Byrne gives press conference to ask Chief Justice Robert Bonin to remove himself from child sexual abuse case because of involvement in fundraising for defendant.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/06/1978
Description: Senator Edward Brooke holds a press conference at the offices of Robert McGrath (attorney for Edward Brooke) to address a story about his personal finances that appeared in the Boston Globe. Brooke admits to making a false statement about the receipt of a personal loan in an out-of-court deposition for his divorce. Brooke says that he did not commit perjury by making a "misstatement" in the divorce proceedings; that he did not inflate his financial liability in the divorce settlement. Brooke discusses the divorce settlement and says that it is "fair and equitable." Brooke denies allegations by the Boston Globe that he spends more than he earns. Brooke describes the sources of his income, including details of the purchases and estimated values of his properties. Brooke apologizes to constituents and asks for their forgiveness and understanding. The media asks probing questions about his personal life and finances. Brooke admits that his daughter is responsible for leaking the story to the press.
11:27:58: Visual: Members of the media are gathered in a small room at the offices of Robert McGrath (attorney for Edward Brooke). The media waits for the arrival of Edward Brooke (US Senator). Members of the press are crowded into the small room. Some are sitting and some are standing. Camera crews set up cameras and microphones. Walt Sanders (WBZ) is among the reporters. 11:30:19: V: Brooke arrives and stands at the front of the room. McGrath stands at his side. Brooke says that the story in The Boston Globe about his personal finances is mostly correct. He notes that there was an error in the caption. Brooke says that he has never admitted to swearing falsely about a $49,000 loan. Brooke apologizes for making a "misstatement and a mistake." He asks for forgiveness and understanding from his constituents. Brooke admits that he never received a $49,000 loan from A. Raymond Tye (Boston liquor wholesaler). He adds that he made a false statement about the receipt of the loan in an out of court deposition for his divorce case. Brooke says that he does owe $49,000; that $2,000 is owed to Tye; that the remaining money belonged to his mother-in-law; that the money was in his control and spent according to the wishes of his mother-in-law. Brooke adds that his divorce is a private matter; that he does not want to discuss the $47,000 debt; that the debt is a family matter. Brooke notes that the out of court deposition was never signed; that McGrath and Monroe Inker (attorney for Brooke's wife) stated in the deposition that the debt was a matter to be settled privately. Brooke states that the depositions were never entered into court. He apologizes for having made a misstatement about the loan. 11:34:57: V: A reporter asks Brooke about allegations that he has been spending more than he has earned. Brooke says that those allegations in The Boston Globe story are untrue; that he has never spent more money than he has earned. Brooke adds that he made rough estimates of his living expenses in a financial statement for the divorce; that his income is comprised of his salary, honoraria received from speaking engagements, stocks, and rental fees from his properties on St. Martin and Martha's Vineyard. Brooke discusses details of the purchases and estimated values of his properties on Martha's Vineyard and St. Martin, his home in Newton, and his apartment in Washington D.C. Brooke notes that he bought his home in Newton with funds realized from the sale of his first home in Roxbury. He adds that he is regularly paying off a $125,000 loan which he received to pay for the property in St. Martin; that he is also paying a mortgage on his apartment in Washington D.C. Brooke says that he has no cash and securities holdings, despite reports to the contrary by The Boston Globe. Brooke notes that he has one checking account from which he pays all of his bills. He says that he would like to put an end to rumors about his "vast holdings." Brooke adds that there is nothing wrong with making a profit from a "sane" investment in real estate. 11:39:16: V: A reporter asks Brooke if he committed perjury in making a "misstatement" in the divorce proceedings. Brooke says that he did not commit perjury; that he admitted under oath to owing $49,000; that he misstated the party to whom he owed the money. The reporter insists that Brooke committed perjury by saying that he owed all of the money to Tye. Brooke insists that he did not commit perjury; that he stated the correct amount of money owed; that he said the money was owed to Tye in order to avoid bringing a private family matter into the court settlement. The reporter asks if his misstatement inflated his financial liability in the divorce settlement. Brooke says that he had always intended to pay back the money; that he had spent the money for his family with his mother-in-law's consent; that he did not inflate his liability because he was obligated to pay back the money. Brooke notes that his wife knew about the debt to his mother-in-law; that the debt did not affect the settlement. Brooke adds that the settlement gave his wife their home in Newton and the property in St. Martin as well as an annual alimony payment of $18,000 and all health and medical insurance. Brooke explains that he has assumed all mortgage payments for the property in St. Martin given to his wife in the settlement; that the divorce settlement was fair and equitable. Brooke says that divorce settlements are very painful; that he does not know how The Boston Globe gained access to the depositions; that he has never read the depositions. Brooke says that he wants to clarify the facts surrounding the divorce settlement because of inaccuracies in the story by The Boston Globe. Brooke says that he thinks his constituents will forgive him; that he has a strong record of public service. Brooke says that his mistakes in the divorce proceedings were not related to public funds or to his performance as US Senator. Brooke adds that he has never tried to cheat his wife; that he has never received any money through dishonest means. Brooke says that he will not take legal action against The Boston Globe; that their story was substantially correct. Brooke notes that he never admitted to falsely swearing about his finances under oath, as was reported in the Globe. Brooke says again that he made a "mistake and a misstatement." Brooke says that the depositions were not provided to the Globe by him or his attorney; that the depositions must have been provided by his wife or her attorney; that the depositions were never filed in court; that he never read them; that they exist for the sole purpose of reaching a financial agreement in the divorce settlement. A reporter asks Brooke if someone has "an axe to grind" about the settlement. Brooke says that someone peddled this story to the news media all over the state of Massachusetts and in Washington D.C.; that the release of the story coincides with his bid for reelection to the US Senate; that he feels like he is being "blackmailed." Brooke says that he thinks the story is being used in an attempt to force him to give up more to his wife in the divorce settlement. Brooke notes that he has given "three-fourths" of his assets to his wife in the settlement; that the settlement is fair and equitable. Brooke admits that his daughter, Remi, is responsible for leaking the story to the media. A reporter asks Brooke if his mother-in-law "holds the note" to the personal debt. Brooke responds that there is no note. Brooke explains that his mother-in-law received an insurance settlement of $100,000 from a car accident which left her paraplegic. Brooke says that this money was spent according to the wishes of his mother-in-law; that she gave him control of this money; that much of this money was spent on her doctor's bills and expenses; that he has been paying this money back and owes about $30,000. A reporter notes that Brooke sponsored legislation forcing full financial disclosure from US Senators. Brooke says that he has always fought against corruption in government; that full financial disclosure by US Senators is ethically important. A reporter asks Brooke if he has received a "bum rap." Brooke says no.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/26/1978
Description: Visuals related to the district attorney's inquiry into the finances and divorce case of Senator Edward Brooke. Shots include court drawings, newspaper headlines, and articles from The Boston Globe, photographs of A. Raymond Tye (Boston liquor wholesaler) and Brooke, and the typed cover of the district attorney's inquiry.
1:54:07: Visual: Shots of court drawings relating to an inquiry into the divorce case of Edward Brooke (US Senator). The drawings include Brooke sitting in the courtroom, lawyers approaching the judge's bench and testimony being given. 1:56:50: V: Shot of newspaper articles and headlines about the Brooke case. One Boston Globe article has a headline reading, "Brooke admits to swearing falsely on $49,000 loan." Another article includes a photo of A. Raymond Tye (Boston liquor wholesaler). 1:57:44: V: Shot of the typed cover page of the district attorney's inquiry into the Brooke divorce case. 1:58:32: V: Shot of another court drawing related to the inquiry into the Brooke divorce case. The drawing shows the judge sitting at the bench. The stenographer is seated in front of the judge. The lawyers stand in the courtroom. 1:59:24: V: Shots of the front page of The Boston Globe from Tuesday, August 22, 1978. A headline reads, "Brooke case: Fraud found, he's cleared. Medicaid to in-law held illegal by state panel." 2:00:39: V: Shots of a still photo of Brooke.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/22/1978
Description: Press conference statement followed by Q&A. Discussion of 2 courts decisions. One that requires half of construction in Boston goes to Boston residents is not unconstitutional, with additional mention of minorities and women. The other decision is an injunction on the police plan. Kevin White and Robert Ryan (Head of BRA), answers questions, along with other White administration officials.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/28/1983
Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that The Boston Herald newspaper has accused Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) of misusing the credit card of the Boston School Department. Vaillancourt notes that Wilson has denied the charges and has demanded a retraction from The Boston Herald. Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Wilson at a press conference with Philip Crowe (attorney for Wilson). Wilson talks about the accusations and denies any wrongdoing. Crowe adds that Wilson may sue The Boston Herald for libel. Vaillancourt notes that Alan Eisner (Editor, The Boston Herald) has refused to print a retraction. Vaillancourt reports that Wilson may have been dropped from consideration for a position with the New York City Public School System because of the Herald article. Vaillancourt adds that Wilson is an "embattled superintendent."
1:00:04: Visual: Footage of Dr. Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) at a press conference. Wilson sits at a round table with his lawyer at his side. Wilson says, "That's a blatant lie." Meg Vaillancourt reports that Wilson has adamently denied accusations by The Boston Herald that he has misused a credit card belonging to the Boston School Department. V: Footage of Wilson demanding a front-page retraction of the accusations and an editorial retraction. Shot of a newspaper photo of Wilson. On-screen text details the Herald's accusations against Wilson. Vaillancourt reports that The Boston Herald has accused Wilson of double-billing the city for travel expenses; of taking improper cash advances on the School Department's credit card; of being late in filing expense reports. Vaillancourt notes that the Herald says that Wilson's tardiness in filing expense reports has cost the city $589 in interest charges on the credit card. V: Footage of Wilson saying that the Herald reporter is intentionally misrepresenting the facts. Vaillancourt notes that Wilson admitted to the accrual of interest charges on the credit card due to his tardiness in filing expense reports. Vaillancourt adds that Wilson has denied all of the other charges. V: Shots of Wilson at the press conference. Wilson holds up a notebook for the reporters. Vaillancourt reports that Wilson showed reporters credit card receipts; that Wilson said that he gave those receipts to The Boston Herald to review. Vaillancourt reports that Wilson has accused the Herald of sensationalizing the story. V: Footage of Wilson saying that the story and editorial in the Herald were malicious. Vaillancourt reports that the Herald is standing by its story. V: Shot of reporters in a newsroom. A quote by Alan Eisner (Editor, The Boston Herald) appears on screen in text. Vaillancourt quotes Eisner as saying, "We have no intention of giving Wilson a retraction." Vaillancourt also quotes Eisner as saying, "The city documents we examined show a clear pattern of credit card abuse." Vaillancourt reports that Wilson was in the process of applying for a position with the New York City Public School System when the Herald story was published. V: Shot of Wilson at the press conference. Shot of the Herald article with a headline reading, "State pays for Wilson credit 'abuse'." Vaillancourt quotes sources as saying that Wilson is no longer a finalist for the job in New York. V: Footage of Wilson saying that he intends to find out if the Herald story had a negative impact on his candidacy for the job. Footage of Philip Crowe (attorney for Laval Wilson) saying that Wilson may bring a libel suit against the Herald. Shots of Wilson sitting at a meeting with members of the Boston School Committee in May of 1986; of the audience at the School Committee meeting. Vaillancourt says that it is not clear whether Wilson is innocent or guilty; that the story has created problems for Wilson, who is "an embattled superintendent."
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/22/1987
Description: Before news broadcast: Ted O'Brien advertises WGBH membership; advertisement for "Vietnam: Present Tense" program with Seth Rolbein; James Earl Jones advertises "Long Ago and Far Away" program; 1)Carmen fields reports on revelations on Sen. William Bulger's questionable investment in American Cablesystems Midwest with Harold Brown and Thomas Finnerty. 2) David Boeri debriefing on set on Bulger. 3) Sludge processing at Deer Island treatment plant turns sewage into compost and pelletized fertilizer; Paul Levy of MWRA and Michael Deland of EPA; incinerator in Lynn. 4) History of Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor, now landfill repository. Anchors Lydon and Fields. 5) Report on President George Bush Sr.'s tax campaign and Congressional leaders meeting about budget. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan recommends budget restrictions, rather than taxes. 6) New childcare package is political olive branch between political parties. 7) National Urban League report on poverty and income conditions among black people. 8) Execution of serial murderer Ted Bundy in Florida. 9) Pennsylvania native Barbara Harris chosen as first woman bishop in Anglican Communion, ordained by Boston Archdiocese.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/24/1989
Description: Kevin White gives speech on Boston real estate development; then comments on his tenuous connection with Edward McCormack, denying any conflict of interest or impropriety. Interview with Ed McCormack.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/14/1989
Description: Rep. Barney Frank press conference where he admits to hiring male prostitute and taking him on as personal aide, but denies knowing an escort service was conducted from his apartment. Republicans respond.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/25/1989