Boston Mayoral Aides Found Guilty of Extortion, Conspiracy (3)

Two aides of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh were found guilty of conspiring to extort concert promoters in a case that rattled City Hall and explored whether inspiring “economic fear” could form the basis of a criminal act.

A federal jury returned the guilty verdicts Aug. 7 against Kenneth Brissette and Timothy Sullivan—City Hall employees and aides to Walsh—who were accused of extortion and conspiracy for violating the Hobbs Act. Prosecutors accused the two men of threatening to withhold city-issued permits for the 2014 Boston Calling music festival unless its promoters hired union workers.

The jury found Brissette guilty ...