BOSTON -- Massachusetts State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury sitting in Boston.

Wilkerson was charged with eight counts of attempted extortion in connection with her acceptance of more than $20,000 in cash payments between June 2007 and October 2008. Wilkerson was also charged by federal indictment with eight counts of attempted extortion under color of official right. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of $23,500 in payments made to Wilkerson by undercover agents and a cooperating witness, as part of an 18 month covert investigation.

“This remains an active investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan. “We intend to aggressively pursue all leads in this case, more fully digest the evidence we have gathered to date, and bring additional charges as called for by the evidence.”

The indictment arises out of the facts alleged in a criminal complaint affidavit unsealed on Oct. 28, 2008. The affidavit outlines an 18-month covert investigation initiated after the FBI and BPD Anti-Corruption Unit were alerted to Wilkerson's acceptance of cash in connection with her official duties, Sullivan's office said. It is alleged that during the investigation, Wilkerson accepted eight payments totaling $23,500 from undercover agents and a cooperating witness. Those payments were allegedly made to Wilkerson in exchange for her official acts in connection with obtaining a liquor license for a proposed club in Boston, and in connection with the development of a parcel of land in Roxbury.

If convicted Wilkerson faces up to 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each of the eight charges.