Walsh Tourism Chief Released on $25K Bond in Extortion Case

Boston, MA - The Walsh administration official accused of using his office to pressure companies on behalf of local unions pleaded "not guilty" to extortion charges Thursday.

Kenneth Brissette, Director of the Office of Tourism under Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond after entering his plea before a judge Thursday. Other conditions of his release include restricting travel to within the continental U.S. and avoiding all contact with potential witnesses (he'll be given a list, prosecutors said).

• FULL STORY: City Official Arrested, Charged with Union-Related Extortion
• READ: Mayor Marty Walsh Reacts to Brissette Indictment
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Brissette was arrested Thursday morning, according to the federal Department of Justice. A federal grand jury indicted him in connection with the 2014 permitting process for the Boston Calling Music Festival, as well as the filming of reality TV show "Top Chef" in Boston that same year.

Before appearing in court, Brissette released a statement to the press through his lawyer Thursday afternoon. In it, he called the indictment "factually and legally flawed," and said he planned to fight the "false charges."

"I look forward to my ultimate vindication in the United States District Court," his statement said.

The mayor's office has placed Brissette on paid administrative leave.

Speaking to reporters before Brissette's court appearance, Walsh said he isn't worried for himself.

"I did nothing wrong," he told reporters Thursday afternoon.

Read Walsh's full statement to the press here.

>> City Hall photo by John Zacherle, Flickr/Creative Commons