Boston, MA
Howie Carr: For Boston insiders, Bob Popeo was a bargain
Like most everybody who knew him, I learned a lot from Bob Popeo, the ultimate Boston lawyer who died last week at age 85.
One time I was slightly jammed up about something or other, and I explained the terrible unfairness of it all to Popeo.
“Bob,” I said, “I’m innocent.”
He chuckled.
“Howie,” he said, “you are not ‘innocent.’ Don’t ever forget that. Nobody is ‘innocent.’ The most you, or anybody else, can ever hope to be is ‘not guilty.’”
It was like a legal interpretation of what the nuns used to call “original sin.” Everybody’s dirty starting out, which is why you need… baptism. And once you get older, if you’re in business — monkey business, anyway — you need a great lawyer like Bob Popeo.
Everybody of a certain age and class in Boston understood this. In 2016, they were dedicating a room at the State House to Bob Crane, one of Popeo’s former clients, the former state treasurer who retired in 1990.
It was a big day for the old gang, and I do mean gang.
Popeo arrived a little late. After glancing around the room, he looked at me and whispered:
“All the rogues are here!”
He would have known. At least six or seven of his old clients were in attendance — not just me and Crane, but also Billy Bulger. And the then-House speaker Bob DeLeo, whose campaign committee paid Popeo’s law firm more than $400,000. Eventually the feds decided that DeLeo was a mere “unindicted co-conspirator” rather than the fourth speaker in a row to actually be indicted.
To stay out of prison, to keep the pension — Popeo was a bargain.
I got to know Bob Popeo when he was defending Vinnie Piro, my state rep from Somerville. Vinnie had been indicted on an attempted-extortion rap. He had taken a bribe from an undercover FBI agent, but later given the cash back — different serial numbers, but what the hell.
I was working for Channel 7, covering Vinnie’s trial every day. Somehow, I obtained a copy of the transcript of the meeting in which Vinnie returned the money. The federal prosecutor threatened me with dire consequences if I ran the story, but I laughed it off. It was the lead story on the early newscast.
The next day, in the courtroom, this snotty prosecutor from Weston haughtily asked me if I still lived in Somerville. I shrugged. We weren’t all born with a silver spoon in our mouths, you know.
A few days later, I received a letter at my Somerville address from the Internal Revenue Service. I had been selected for a “random” audit. I was still covering the trial, so the next morning I brought the letter to court with me and showed it to Popeo.
He laughed, pulled a letter out of his pocket, and handed it to me. It was the exact same letter I’d gotten from the IRS.
“Let me have your letter,” he said. “I’ll handle this, for both of us.”
A few days later, Popeo gave me a copy of the letter he’d written on my behalf to the IRS. When I read it, I was amazed.
The language he had used was so scorching it almost burned my hands. Popeo was demanding every document and communication that the IRS had in its possession relating to the “random” audit of Mr. Carr.
My accountant offered to provide the IRS with whatever they needed. They never responded, not even an official notice terminating the audit. Popeo had scared the bleep out of them. I was quite impressed.
A few years later, after Mike Dukakis was defeated for the presidency, I started getting hassled by the State Department of Revenue. I called Popeo. Again, he seemed amused.
“We’ve already got immunity for 10 years from the feds,” he said. “Once I write a letter, the state will leave both of us alone for 10 years too.”
Another thing Popeo taught me was the value of private detectives.
The cop the feds had used to get Vinnie Piro had been in the Detroit FBI office. Pretty soon Popeo had an arrest report on him. After a boozy cop hockey game, the G-man had been arrested for taking a leak by the side of the road on his way home.
Popeo even got the records of the fed’s FBI-issued credit card, showing that he’d been charging a lot of purchases at a local toy store — just before Christmas.
Popeo also educated me about polygraph tests. He had Vinnie Piro take a lie-detector test, to prove that he hadn’t understood that he was being bribed. Vinnie passed the test with flying colors.
What that taught me was why lie-detector tests were inadmissible as evidence at trial. Because if Vinnie Piro could pass one, what the hell could they possibly be worth?
Bob’s law firm, Mintz Levin, was and is very political. He represented Crane when he was in his photo finish with the grand jury. Soon Mintz was the treasurer’s bond counsel — a big windfall.
They hired pols and the relatives of pols — among them the brothers of John Kerry and Ed Markey. If someone wasn’t a lawyer, Popeo might put him on the payroll as a “lobbyist.”
A lot of these white-shoe firms traditionally prefer to deal with the Beautiful People. Popeo was from “the neighborhood,” as Chuck Berry used to say. Being from East Boston, he didn’t look down his nose at his former “neighbors” who didn’t go to wooden churches.
A few years back, then-Mayor Marty Walsh was… hearing the footsteps, you might say.
“I have done no wrong-doing,” he stammered. Beautiful. I knew what was coming next. I checked Marty’s campaign-finance reports and sure enough — he was paying a $10,000-a-month retainer to Mintz Levin, that is, Bob Popeo.
It was a good investment. Now Marty’s making $3.5 million a year running the NHL Players Association.
For so many of us, it was always comforting to have Bob Popeo’s phone number if, and when, we ever needed it.
Even if we were innocent, er not guilty.
Christopher Evans / Boston Herald
Mintz Levin chairman Bob Popeo, left, talks with GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt during Boston College’s 29th Annual Wall Street Council Dinner in New York on in April 2017. (Christopher Evans / Boston Herald)
The 2025 Boston Wine and Food Festival is led by Wine Director Nick Daddona and Executive Chef David … [+]
Equipped with a lengthy coastline and a fishing culture that dates back centuries, Massachusetts has earned widespread acclaim for its world-class seafood scene—but that’s not all that this historic state has to offer. In addition to being the birthplace of beloved baked goods like the Boston cream pie and chocolate chip cookie, the commonwealth also boasts one of the finest dining scenes in all of New England. During a visit to the capital city of Boston, tourists can discover all sorts of polished bars and prestigious restaurants within city limits, and for a truly lavish experience, there’s no beating the Boston Wine and Food Festival.
First launched in 1989, this esteemed affair is set to return for its 36th iteration this year, with no shortage of elevated drinking and dining experiences taking place within the city’s world-class Boston Harbor Hotel. As one of the longest food and drink-focused events in the nation, the Boston Wine and Food Festival spans from late January until the final week of March, with festivities officially kicking off on January 31st at Opening Night. Taking place in the Harbor Hotel’s opulent Wharf Room, this lively event invites guests to sample more than 100 different wines sourced from all across the globe, all while enjoying live music and bites crafted by Executive Chef David Daniels.
Massachusetts is home to more than fifty wineries.
After Opening Night, festival participants can look forward to twenty wine-focused events taking place throughout February and March, many of which shine a spotlight on the natural bounty of both California and Western Europe. For a deep dive on the agricultural history of France’s Rhône Valley, the Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe Dinner is the perfect event, while concepts like The Tuscan Sun Dinner and Marchesi di Barolo Dinner are ideal for discovering the rich array of wines that hail from the Italian peninsula.
When it comes to specific varieties of wine, the festival offers curated master classes focusing on Nebbiolo, Champagne and rosé, but for those in search of a particularly romantic experience, it’s tough to beat Valentines on the French Riviera. Taking place on February 14th, this intimate affair invites participants to enjoy a private dinner under the golden glow of candlelight, with seven refined wines from the French Riviera served alongside flavorful Mediterranean fare.
The Boston Harbor Hotel (pictured here) is adorned with a 60-foot-tall archway.
While the Boston Wine and Food Festival is particularly elegant all on its own, its host hotel is offering an opportunity for guests to elevate their experience with The Presidential Burgundy Experience. Taking place on March 21st, this grandiose event provides up to eight participants with an opportunity to bask in the beauty of the property’s Presidential Suite—a 4,800-square-foot space that comes complete with a private elevator, open-air terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows—and enjoy a sommelier-led Burgundy tasting experience and lavish, six-course dinner prepared by Chef David Daniels.
During the Presidential Burgundy Experience, guests can also take advantage of the full-service open bar available all throughout the meal, while the following morning brings the opportunity to enjoy an elegant brunch served in the comfort of the suite. And to sweeten the deal, a stay at the Boston Harbor Hotel also allows guests to pay a visit to Rowes Wharf Sea Grille—a top spot for lobster, oysters and clam chowder—without having to step outdoors and brave the winter weather.
The state of Massachusetts is home to just one American Viticultural Area: the Martha’s Vineyard … [+]
While Massachusetts has long been renowned for its thriving seafood scene, the Boston Wine and Food Festival highlights far more than just the Bay State, with no shortage of acclaimed restaurateurs gathering to pay homage to the world’s most esteemed wineries. From Hollywood-inspired dinners to deep dives on the world of Pinot Noir, this lauded festival grants guests an opportunity to enjoy the elevated ambiance of the city at its very best—and with winter in full swing, the Boston Wine and Food Festival provides the perfect opportunity to escape the cold and immerse yourself in the flavors of Napa, Tuscany or the French Riviera for a truly unforgettable night.
SMALL ACTS, BIG IMPACTS: A DAY OF SERVICE From Saturday to Monday, give back to the community with the Discovery Museum’s “Day of Service” in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day’s designation as a National Day of Service. Donate or collect supplies for the Welcome Basket drive, and make a warm welcome card in support of the Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center. Donations for these care packages — including cleaning and laundry supplies, hygiene products, infant care items, and winter clothing — will go to immigrant or refugee families in need of essential daily items. Free admission. Jan. 18-20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 177 Main St., Acton. discoveryacton.org
MLK DAY CONCERT — VOTING WITH PURPOSE AND WITHOUT FEAR On Sunday, the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington is hosting a concert in honor of MLK Jr. Day and in celebration of the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and activist Fannie Lou Hamer. Both civil rights leaders were integral in the fight for equal voting rights and access to ballots for all voters. Enjoy songs of spirituality and freedom — performed by Brother Dennis and Friends — as an homage to the songs that motivated those at the Meredith March Against Fear in 1966 and many other civil rights activists of the 1960s. Tickets are $25. Jan. 19, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Follen Church, 755 Mass. Ave., Lexington. eventbrite.com
EMBRACE HONORS MLK On Sunday, Embrace Boston hosts Embrace Honors MLK 2025, a formal evening of joy, music, and community. Leaders to be honored include former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and first lady Lauren Baker, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and first lady Diane Patrick. Hosts include Melisa Valdez, in-arena host for the Boston Celtics, and Latoyia Edwards, Emmy-winning anchor from NBC 10 Boston. DJ Envy, DJ Papadon, and the Berklee All Star Jazz Band are among the entertainers booked. Tickets are $450. Jan. 19. 6:30 p.m.-midnight. Big Night Live, 110 Causeway St. embraceboston.org
PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION The Peabody Essex Museum will honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday with a variety of art installations. View the works of Bethany Collins (”America: A Hymnal”), David Boxer (”The Black Books”), and Alison Saar’s (”Weight)”. Starting at 11 a.m., join fluid acrylics artist Rahim Gray to learn the way he incorporates social justice and music in his work and to make pour art of your own. Free admission. Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 161 Essex St., Salem. pem.org
ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM — MLK JR. DAY OF SERVICE Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Monday to stroll its galleries, hear storytellers, and participate in activities. Featured exhibits include performance artist Dzidzor’s soundscape “Riot: A Sermon of Anger, Dreams, and Love,” Crystal Bi’s “Dream Portal” hands-on installation, and a performance by Amanda Shea and musician Wylsner Bastien of “Why We Still Dream” at Calderwood Hall. Free admission. Jan. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way. gardnermuseum.org
CELEBRATE! WITH GEORGE RUSSELL JR. AND FRIENDS The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum hosts a Monday performance of some of Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite songs by George Russell Jr. and Friends. The event is free to the public per the support of the Martin Richard Foundation and the Mass Cultural Council. Jan. 20, 10:30.-11:30 a.m. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point. eventbrite.com
MFA BOSTON OPEN HOUSE, MLK DAY In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and the communal and artistic spirit of the holiday, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston will offer free admission Monday to any visitors with a Massachusetts ZIP code. Within the museum, view ArtSpark’s “Radical Heroes” program and make your own window-hanging at the “Stained Glass: Doves” station. The museum offers several other performances and talks; see the website for the schedule. Jan. 20. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave. mfa.org
BOSTON CHILDREN’S CHORUS — ROAD TO FREEDOM This year’s Boston Children’s Chorus MLK Day program educates about Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, two civil rights leaders who are often perceived as ideologically unaligned, though the interconnectedness between the two is more complex. The “Road to Freedom” program at Symphony Hall on Monday is designed to educate the Boston community on the similarities between the two activists, and the vital role both hold in shaping social movements of the past and present. $15-$75. Jan. 20, 4 p.m. Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave. bso.org
ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION Join the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras and the Boston community for a celebratory program of memorable performances on Monday. The two-hour program, presented in conjunction with the Museum of African American History, will include spiritual and cultural performances, spoken word and readings, and guest speakers. Free admission. Jan. 20. Starts at 1 p.m. Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Road. eventbrite.com
Haley Clough can be reached at haley.clough@globe.com. Follow her on Instagram @hcloughjournalism.
A pair of division foes in the Eastern Conference meet up on Wednesday, Jan. 15 when the Boston Celtics travel to take on the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston. Fans looking to watch this NBA game can do so for free by using DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial. You can also watch on FuboTV, which also offers a free trial and $30 off your first month, or SlingTV, which doesn’t offer a free trial but has promotional offers available.
The Celtics are looking for their first winning streak since they beat the Raptors, Timberwolves and Rockets consecutively to end December and start January. Boston enters this matchup at 28-11 while Toronto is 9-31 and winless in two previous matchups with the defending champions.
- WATCH THE GAME FOR FREE HERE
Who: Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors
When: Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto
Stream: FuboTV; Sling; DirecTV Stream (free trial)
Betting: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
What is FuboTV?
FuboTV is an internet television service that offers more than 200 channels across sports and entertainment including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. From the UEFA Champions League to the WNBA to international tournaments ranging across sports, there’s plenty of options available on FuboTV, which offers a free trial and $30 off the first month for new customers.
What is DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream offers practically everything DirecTV provides, except for a remote and a streaming device to connect to your television. Sign up now and get three free months of premium channels including MAX, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and Starz.
What is SlingTV?
SlingTV offers a variety of live programing ranging from news and sports and starting as low as $20 a month for your first month. Subscribers also get a month of DVR Plus free if they sign up now. Choose from a variety of sports packages without long-term contracts and with easy cancelation.
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Court papers say ex-NBA player Jontay Porter laid out betting scheme in a text; 6th person arrested
By JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — A sixth person was charged Monday in the federal sports betting case involving ex-NBA player Jontay Porter, and authorities disclosed a text message Porter allegedly sent explaining how to cash in on his plans to bench himself in a January 2024 game.
The former Toronto Raptors center already has pleaded guilty in the criminal case and was banned from the NBA for life. He admitted that he agreed to withdraw early from games, claiming illness or injury, so that those in the know could win big by betting on him to underperform expectations.
Although the new developments don’t affect the legal case against Porter, they put the scheme in what a court document says were his own words.
“Hit unders for the big numbers,” Porter wrote to an alleged conspirator on Jan. 26, 2024, according to a court complaint against yet another alleged schemer, Shane Hennen. He was arrested Sunday at the Las Vegas airport while boarding a flight to Panama.
“No blocks no steals. I’m going to play first 2-3 minute stint off the bench then when I get subbed out tell them my eye killing me again,” Porter wrote, according to the complaint. It identifies him only as “NBA Player 1” but makes clear through references — such as the details of his guilty plea last year — that it’s Porter.
He had scratched an eye during a game on Jan. 22, 2024, keeping conspirators in the loop by text even from the arena, according to the complaint. But he wasn’t on the injured list when the Raptors faced the LA Clippers four days later.
Porter ultimately played about 4 1/2 minutes in that game before saying he had aggravated the eye problem. Then he pulled out of a March 20 game against the Sacramento Kings after less than three minutes, saying he felt ill. His performance in both games fell well below what sportsbooks had anticipated.
Porter told a court in July that he got involved in the plot to try to clear his own gambling debts. He’s set to be sentenced in May. He could face anything from no jail time to 20 years behind bars; prosecutors have estimated his sentence at about 3 1/2 to four years in prison.
A message was sent to his lawyer Monday to seek comment on the developments.
Hennen was released without bail after his arraignment Monday in Las Vegas on charges including wire fraud conspiracy. The court complaint alleges that he placed bets through proxies after co-conspirators alerted him to Porter’s plans for the Jan. 26 game, and that he also got a heads-up about the March 20 game and likely told other gamblers about it.
A message seeking comment was sent to his attorney.
Besides Hennen and Porter, four other people also have been charged to date. Two have pleaded guilty, a third has pleaded not guilty, and the fourth hasn’t entered a plea.
The complaint against Hennen alleges there were still more conspirators involved. It’s unclear whether more people may yet be arrested.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
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