Mass. house speaker will step down today

BOSTON (AP) -- House Speaker Sal DiMasi is expected to address his colleagues on Beacon Hill today before stepping down at 5 p.m. from his powerful leadership post.

DiMasi announced plans to resign from the House over the weekend, just three weeks after he was re-elected to the speakership.

A new speaker could be elected before the end of the week, with Ways and Means Chairman Robert DeLeo of Winthrop and House Majority Leader John Rogers of Norwood the chief contenders.

DiMasi's spokesman, David Guarino, said ethics investigations were not the reason the speaker chose to resign at this time.

DiMasi's close friend, Richard Vitale, has been charged with concealing his work as a lobbyist and having contact with the speaker while pushing an anti-scalping bill on behalf of ticket brokers.

Gov. Deval Patrick discounted suggestions that DiMasi was pushed out of office by casino supporters after thwarting the governor's gambling plan last year.