Couldn’t the North End Columbus Day Celebration Committee find an Italian-American who didn’t go to prison for public corruption to honor with a public service award? Former House speaker and convicted felon Sal DiMasi was recently recognized by a North End community organization, at an event attended by Mayor Marty Walsh and City Council President Michelle Wu, along with Councilors Michael Flaherty and Ayanna Pressley. Walsh was unavailable to discuss the matter, but issued a statement that he “was happy to join the committee to celebrate Italian heritage and the contributions of the Italian community in Boston.”

Like Christopher Columbus, DiMasi’s legacy is complicated. When asked about the appropriateness of this honor, Governor Charlie Baker told the State House News Service that the former speaker played a critical role in shepherding the state’s groundbreaking health care law. “I would say, first of all, that the Massachusetts health care law, which has been a big success here in the Commonwealth, is something that the former speaker had a lot to do with,” said Baker.