Former Mass. treasurer Cahill pleads not guilty


April 4, 2012 at 10:21a.m.

Former Mass. treasurer Cahill pleads not guilty

BOSTON (AP) — Former Massachusetts treasurer Timothy Cahill has pleaded not guilty to ethics charges.

Cahill entered his plea Wednesday at Suffolk Superior Court.

Cahill and two former aides face public corruption charges for allegedly orchestrating a television advertising campaign for the state lottery, funded with taxpayer dollars that prosecutors say was really intended to boost Cahill’s failed 2010 campaign for governor.

Cahill is charged with violating state ethics laws, procurement fraud and conspiracy to violate both laws.

Cahill has denied any wrongdoing.

The two former aides also pleaded not guilty.

Cahill’s former chief-of-staff Scott Campbell is facing similar charges, and Alfred Grazioso, the lottery’s former chief of staff, has been indicted on two counts of obstruction of justice.