Former state Sen. Galluccio granted parole
Former state Sen. Anthony Galluccio will be released from prison after serving about half his sentence for a hit-and-run crash.
The Massachusetts Parole Board's granted him parole on Thursday. The Cambridge Democrat could be released from the Middlesex House of Correction in Billerica as soon as July 14.
Galluccio was sentenced to a year in jail on Jan. 4 for violating the terms of his probation for failing a sobriety test.
Galluccio originally was sentenced to house arrest for an October 2009 hit-and-run crash in Cambridge. Three days later after that sentence was imposed, an electronic monitor indicated he had been drinking - a violation of his home confinement.
Galluccio claimed the positive readings were the result of toothpastes that contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol and artificial sweetener, but Cambridge District Court Judge Matthew Nestor rejected the defense and ordered the former senator jailed.
Galluccio resigned from his Senate post following his probation violation.
In a written decision, Parole Board member Cesar Archilla says Galluccio "continues to address alcohol issues and causative factors" and has participated in Alcoholics Anonymous classes.
Archilla says Galluccio "expresses remorse" for his actions and "would benefit from supervised release." Archilla also wrote that Galluccio has demonstrated a "positive attitude regarding ongoing treatment and counseling."
Galluccio has had no disciplinary issues while in custody, Archilla wrote.
Gov. Deval Patrick said Friday he assumes the authorities "reviewed the record and did what they thought what was right" in granting Galluccio's release.
"I hope, personally, that he is getting the support and treatment that he needs and that the restrictions are such that it protects the public," Patrick said.
George Hassett, Galluccio's attorney in the hit-and-run case, could not be immediately reached for comment. Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree, who appealed Gallucio's probation violation, also could not be immediately reached.
Galluccio is a former Cambridge city councilor and mayor. He won a four-way special election in 2007 to replace former Sen. Jarrett Barrios after he resigned.
Galluccio was convicted of driving under the influence in 1984, when he was 17, and again in 1997. Former Gov. William F. Weld, a Republican, pardoned him for the first offense.
Galluccio again faced accusations of drunken driving in 2006, amid an aborted campaign for Barrios's seat. People who had been in three vehicles allegedly struck by him during a December 2005 chain-reaction crash in Boston's financial district said he was drunk at the time.
A Boston Municipal Court clerk magistrate later convened a hearing where he determined there was evidence Galluccio had been drinking but insufficient evidence to charge him with drunken driving.
APTV-07-02-10 1440EDT
