Boston Herald Reporter Dave Wedge asks Rep. Tom Petrolati (D-Ludlow) about the money he took from convicted felons. Story is below. Sal’s No. 2 raked in felons’ cash 13 cons have donated 00 By Dave Wedge | Friday, April 11, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Local Politics Photo Photo by File House Speaker Sal DiMasi’s second-in-command, Rep. Thomas Petrolati – a driving force behind major legislation on Beacon Hill – has accepted thousands in campaign contributions from reputed mobsters, bookmakers and a who’s who of corrupt Springfield pols, a Herald review has found. Among the criminals who’ve contributed to Petrolati, the House speaker pro tempore, is Frank Colantoni, who served 12 years in connection with the 1989 mob hit on Patriarca crime family capo William Grasso. Colantoni, who has a rap sheet dating back to 1983, donated 0 to Petrolati’s campaign in 2006, records show. Reached by phone yesterday, Colantoni said he donated to Petrolati at a friend’s request. “I don’t even really know the man, but if a friend comes to me and says the guy’s a good guy, help him out. No problem,” Colantoni said. “I don’t think he can do a thing for me.” A Herald review identified 13 convicted criminals who’ve donated a total of 00 to the Ludlow Democrat. Other felons who’ve given to Petrolati after their convictions include # Anna Santaniello, who was convicted in 1989 of helping run a mob gambling ring; # Disgraced ex-Springfield City Councilor Francis Keough, who is serving … Video Rating: 3 / 5