Ex-Mass. Official Testifies DiMasi Pushed Software

BOSTON (AP) - A former state official says she recalls then-House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi strongly advocating for a performance management software contract that was later awarded to Cognos.

The testimony on Monday came in the federal corruption trial of DiMasi and two associates, who are accused of scheming to funnel kickbacks to DiMasi in exchange for using the speaker's clout to help steer two contracts worth a combined $17.5 million to the software company.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports.

Bethann Pepoli, the former acting head of the state's information technology office, said DiMasi pushed hard to have funding for performance management software in an emergency bond bill Gov. Deval Patrick's administration was preparing in 2007.

Defense attorney Thomas Kiley tried to show during cross examination of Pepoli that DiMasi never advocated for Cognos by name.

Testimony in the case resumes on Tuesday.

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