[JURIST] Former Massachusetts Speaker of the House of Representatives [official website] Thomas Finneran [official website] was indicted Monday on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for lying about his role in a redistricting plan [Common Cause backgrounder on redistricting in Massachusetts]. Finneran, considered for many years the most influential state politician, resigned to run the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council [official website] in September 2004. A lawsuit was originally brought by minority groups who felt the redistricting plan would hurt black and Hispanic candidates while aiding Finneran and other incumbants. Finneran denied seeing the new map before it was filed with the House clerk but House rules and state law permit the Speaker to take an active role in the process. AP has more.