Now I have been very critical of State Reps. Murphy & Golden and to some degree Nangle while I have stated that I like Sen. Steve Panagiotakos. I also have stated that I like Joe Tully. Even though Joe has been convicted before.

I just cannot and unless proven otherwise will not believe that any of the Lowell Delegation, especially Kevin Murphy or Steve Panagiotakos are stupid and would risk their positions for short dough. Pangy & Murphy are well established politicians and lawyers and $4,000 is not going to be a huge deal to either of them and certainly not worth losing your livelihood over. If they were found guilty of taking a bribe, kick-back whatever you want to call it they would face disbarment and be unable to practice law and neither gentleman is that stupid.

The same holds true for Nangle and Tom Golden. They have been in office a long time and are well established. $4,000 or even $7,000 or $10,000 (2-3 Way split with Tully) isn’t worth a $60,000 a year plus job. Neither Golden or Nangle that we know of is in desperate need of cash. No matter my difference with Golden’s voting record or lobbyist connections, I don’t think Tom is stupid, greedy or a fool to risk his reputation and family name, and the same holds true for Dave Nangle.

Joe Tully has a conviction for a similar offense, the possibility exist at least in my mind that Joe was shaking down Paley for his personal gain and even if he talked to the Reps and Senator unless they have them on tape or video I’m behind the Lowell Delegation on this one. They wanted to keep the Registry here in Lowell no matter what but would not take a kickback or bribe to do it.

I also think Tom Byrnes may be in the same situation. Just because he was in the room doesn’t mean he knew what Tully said on the end of the phone, unless the recording shows Paley, Byrne and Tully all talking and then all bets are off. I believe Tully may have been acting alone and the others are getting caught up via association.