Senator Dianne Wilkerson Arrested By FBI

State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson was set free this afternoon on a $50,000 bond after appearing in federal court on attempted extortion charges following a “painstaking” 18-month investigation, during which she was allegedly caught on tape stuffing a cash bribe into her bra, according to a complaint.

“Dianne Wilkerson accepted these cash payments in exchange for her official duties and responsibilities,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan during a morning news conference at the federal courthouse.Wilkerson, who was carrying $6,000 in her purse when she was arrested today, faces charges of attempted extortion and theft of honest services as a state senator, stemming from a money-for-legislation sting operation, officials said.

A federal criminal complaint alleges that Wilkerson was busted for accepting eight bribes, totaling $23,500, in exchange for her influence on Beacon Hill.One undercover video shows Wilkerson allegedly taking $1,000 in cash from an undercover agent and stuffing it into her bra during a June 2007 lunch at No. 9 Park.Wilkerson also allegedly used one $1,000 bribe to treat herself to a night of gambling and dining at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.