Monday, February 21, 2011

Ex-Mass. pol pleads to harassment charges

The Associated Press

LOWELL, Mass. — A former Massachusetts state senator charged
with sexually harassing four women has pleaded guilty to six charges
and admitted to sufficient facts to a seventh, more serious charge.

James Marzilli pleaded to sufficient facts to assault and battery
Tuesday in Lowell Superior Court, acknowledging that prosecutors
have enough evidence to convict him.

On that charge, his lawyer asked the judge to continue the case
without a finding for three years, meaning the charge would eventually
be dismissed.

Prosecutors asked for a guilty finding, a year in jail and four years of
probation.

Marzilli, an Arlington Democrat, was charged in 2008 with making
sexually explicit remarks to four women in Lowell and attempting to
sexually touch one of them.

After his arrest, Marzilli was treated at a psychiatric hospital.