Former Mass. treasurer Cahill pleads not guilty

BOSTON (AP) — Former Massachusetts treasurer Timothy Cahill and two top aides have pleaded not guilty to ethics charges.

Cahill and the aides entered their pleas Wednesday at Suffolk Superior Court and were all released on personal recognizance.

Cahill and the aides face public corruption charges for allegedly orchestrating a television advertising campaign for the state lottery, funded with taxpayer dollars, that prosecutors say was really intended to boost Cahill's failed 2010 campaign for governor.

Cahill is charged with violating state ethics laws, procurement fraud and conspiracy to violate both laws.

Cahill has called the allegations "unfounded."

Cahill's former chief-of-staff Scott Campbell is facing similar charges, and Alfred Grazioso, the lottery's former chief of staff, has been indicted on two counts of obstruction of justice.

A Sept. 24 trial date was set.