Top Boston Tourism Official Pleads Not Guilty to Extortion

NOW LIVE IN SOUTH BOSTON. JANET: THE HEAD OF T TOURISM OFFICE THREATENED TO WITHHOLD MONEY FROM PRODUCERS IN BOSTON. THE U.S. ATTORNEY SAID THAT HE TOLD THE PRODUCER TO MAKE A DEAL REGARDING THE HIRING OF UNION LABOR AND SAID THAT UNLESS A NOT BE RELEASED. THREE DAYS BEFORE THE SEPTEMBER 2014 MUSIC FESTIVAL ON CITY HALL PLAZA, EIGHT UNION WORKERS WERE RELEASED ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS. DID YOU EVER INSTRUCT HIM TO SPECIFIC PROJECTS FOR YOUR ADMINISTRATION? MAYOR WALSH: ABSOLUTELY NOT. I KNOW FOR ME PERSONALLY THAT ADMINISTRATION. I WOULD NEVER DO THAT. JANET: THE MAYOR SAID SHOCKED TO HEAR ABOUT THE ARREST THIS MORNING BUT THE NAME WAS PROMINENTLY MENTIONED IN THE TOP CHEF SCANDAL WHERE FIVE INTIMIDATING THE CREW AT MILTON'S STREET AND RIDE -- STEEL AND RYE RESTAURANT. COMMENT ON THAT. THAT. JANET: IN A STATEMENT RELEASED THROUGH HIS ATTORNEY, HE SAID ME TODAY AND IT IS FACTUALLY AND LEGALLY FLAWED. I INTEND TO FIGHT THESE FALSE I LOOK FORWARD TO MY ULTIMATE