Former State Senator Brian Joyce Found Dead

WESTPORT, MA — Former state Senator Brian Joyce was found dead by his wife Thursday in his Westport home.

Foul play is not suspected, a spokesperson for the Bristol County District Attorney's office said. The office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy in the next few days.

WFXT reports that Joyce was involved in a one-car crash Thursday, but it is not known if the two incidents are connected.

Joyce, a former state senator for the Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth District, was awaiting trial on federal charges for corruption, racketeering, wire fraud, extortion and money laundering. The 104-page federal indictment alleges that the former Milton Democrat accepted a "stream of payments" for his influence or action. He also allegedly defrauded the IRS and laundered the payments he received through a shell company, according to the indictment.

READ MORE:

• IRS, FBI Raid State Senator Brian Joyce's Office
• Sen. Joyce to pay nearly $5,000 to resolve campaign finance issues
• Former State Sen. Brian Joyce Faces 100+ Federal Charges

Joyce's Canton law office was raided by the IRS and FBI last year a series of investigative stories by the Boston Globe.

Joyce did not seek reelection in 2016.

The death is under police investigation.

This breaking news story will be updated.

Image via MaLegislature.Gov