Anthony Galluccio: A New Man After Jail

July 19th, 2010 | Add a Comment

The greatest news to my ears is hearing someone say, “Hey, I want to change my old habits and replace them with new habits.” To me, that means, forget the old life and show me the new way of life. I am a firm believer that a change in a person can happen as long as they are willing to do what it takes.

Anthony Galluccio, former state senator of Massachusetts, was released a couple days ago after having served six months in jail for a hit-and-run crash in 2009. He is promising that he will be a new man and admits that alcohol has been a problem with him since he was a teenager. Having recognized his problem with alcohol, he now has an opportunity to change his life or go back to his old drinking life.

On the way home to his house in Cambridge, Galluccio had to check in with his regional parole officer in Quincy. Being on parole will definitely help motivate him to stay on the right path. “It’s time for me to regain some perspective and give some thought to my transition and what I want to do with the next few years of my life,” he said.

Galluccio will not address whether he thinks he is an alcoholic but does admit that alcohol plays a huge role in his past with many problems. Also, he did not address anything about his political future. Instead he has said that isn’t even on his radar. He is trying to reconnect with his family and fellow community members. One thing that really stands out is he acknowledges that, “the good work I did over 17 years is going to be overshadowed, and I accept that reality… because I made some terrible mistakes.” To me this means that he is accepting the past. He doesn’t have to beat himself up for acting outrageously and can now work on new things with a clean slate.

In aljail, Galluccio was said to be a good model inmate, had expressed remorse over his choices, and had a positive attitude about seeking help for his future treatment. All of this really helped him out in his favor because of his good behavior his year sentence in jail was lessened. This is a perfect example of willingness.

Not only does Galluccio have to be on parole but he must attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and have counseling for substance abuse. He will have a portable alcohol-screening device on hand and be randomly tested for alcohol and drugs.
His original sentence back in December was to be six months of home confinement. His orders were to stay away from alcohol after he plead guilty to leaving the scene of the car crash which injured an innocent father and his son. Thirteen hours prior to the accident he got a ride home from a Cambridge police officer because he was too drunk. Then later when he got into the accident, he fled the scene to avoid an alcohol test.

Galluccio failed a breathalyzer test three days after he was sentenced to home confinement. It was also the first time he was required to take any kind of alcohol test. He tried to argue that the reason why he came up positive for alcohol was because of the toothpaste he used. The District Court did not take any sympathy on him and rejected his argument.
His crash which was in October was a recent problem of Galluccios. Not only was it just a hit-and-run crash but he had been convicted twice for driving under the influence previously. Also, he received a pardon for one of those drunk driving convictions. Another incident which was in 2005, a clerk-magistrate stated that he had been drinking which caused a four car pileup accident in Boston, but there was not enough evidence to sustain a charge against him.

Having being in jail, Galluccio has experienced a lot of good positive programs and activities that has helped him see a different perspective in life. He said that he is hoping to work in the community to teach others what he has learned.