Finneran resigns from his job as president of biotech council

Less than a week after pleading guilty to obstructing a voting rights lawsuit, former House Speaker Thomas Finneran on Tuesday resigned from a $416,000-a-year job as president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.

Finneran, one of the state's most powerful politicians during his eight years as speaker, had been seen as an effective lobbyist for the group representing the state's life sciences industry. But he had appeared to be losing their support after pleading guilty to the felony charge in federal court last Friday.

"This work brought me immense personal and professional satisfaction given that the MBC's work is crucial in helping save and improve lives," Finneran said in a statement announcing he was stepping down. "I want to thank the board and staff of MBC, and they should know that I will always be an advocate for their interests."

Doug Bailey, a spokesman for Finneran, said Finneran would have no further comment Tuesday night.

Finneran took the job when he resigned from the Legislature in 2004 under the cloud of a federal investigation. The council had backed him after a 2005 indictment accused him of lying during his testimony in the lawsuit.

But its board accepted his resignation, effective immediately, during an evening conference call Tuesday, a day after it had also met by phone to discuss his future.

"Tom succeeded in meeting the board's goal of taking the MBC to the next level," said board chairman Michael D. Webb. "He increased membership from 375 to 530, topping the 500-mark for the first time in the organization's history, and shaped a positive legislative and regulatory environment for biotech.

"We wish him the best in the future," Webb said.

Webb said Finneran would assist in a transition over the next month. Spokesmen for the council did not immediately return telephone messages Tuesday night for further details on the terms of his departure.

On Friday, Finneran pleaded guilty in a deal with prosecutors that has already cost him a $25,000 fine, 18 months of unsupervised probation, and the possible suspension or loss of his law license.

The state Retirement Board is also reviewing whether to strip him of his nearly $31,000 annual state pension, and could take up his case next month.

Boston media have reported Finneran is in talks to host a radio show.

Federal prosecutors accused him of lying about his role in drawing new 2001 legislative district boundaries which the lawsuit claimed discriminated against blacks and other minority voters in Boston while protecting Finneran and other incumbents.

Finneran repeatedly denied in his 2003 testimony that he had seen the redistricting map until it was filed with the House clerk, even though there was nothing illegal about his playing a role in drafting it. Prosecutors said they did not believe he intentionally tried to dilute the voting power of minorities.

Under the plea deal, they agreed to drop three perjury charges. His federal court trial had been scheduled to start Jan. 16.

After pleading guilty in federal court, Finneran publicly apologized.

"I embarrassed myself. I shamed myself. I shamed my family," he said.

Finneran said he misrepresented his role because he was offended and angered by the claims of racial bias made in the lawsuit.

"For 26 years, I had represented a largely minority district. I took great pride in my service to that district," Finneran said.

As House speaker, Finneran was the most powerful lawmaker in Massachusetts, rewarding political allies and punishing foes. He was dubbed "King Tom" after pushing to eliminate term limits for speakers.

He prided himself of being a tireless champion of his district, which included the largely minority neighborhood of Mattapan in Boston.

Former legislative colleagues praised Finneran on Tuesday night.

"I believe the citizens of our Commonwealth owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for his 26 years of public service," said House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.

Senate President Robert Travaglini called Finneran "a strong leader in shaping fiscal and economic policy that benefited every taxpayer in the Commonwealth."

Finneran served as a member of the House of Representatives for 26 years, rising through the ranks to become the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and then, in 1996, House speaker, one of the most powerful posts on Beacon Hill.

Precedent doesn't bode well for Finneran in the review of his state pension.

In March, the state's highest court ruled that John "Jackie" Bulger, brother of fugitive mobster James "Whitey" Bulger, must forfeit his $65,000-a-year state pension because he lied to grand juries investigating the gangster's disappearance.