City Councillor Chuck Turner won't be appealing the verdict of a jury that found him guilty of taking a $1,000 bribe and lying to FBI agents about it, Turner said in a statement posted on his website Sunday.

He also said he's closing his district office.

Full statement below the jump:

November 1, 2010

Dear Friends:

They say you don’t know who your friends are until times get tough. Given how tough the times have been for Terri and me over the last two years, we thank you for showing the strength of your friendship by giving support when others were viewing me with suspicions or calling me a crook.

Even though the verdict is shocking, it is not surprising. Our predominant feeling is one of relief. Despite the fact that we think we have handled the pressure well, we are both drained and thrilled to have the trial over despite the shocking verdict.

Some have suggested that I should appeal to try to get a new trial. However, I can’t see what would be gained by an appeal. The main problem created by the verdict is that it puts pressure on my fellow Councilors to vote me off the Council. However, the appeal process moves too slowly to help me remain on the Council

While I am not going to appeal the verdict, I will not resign from the Council. In fact, I intend to fight to finish my term of office ending 12/31/2011 since there are a number of projects that I initiated that need more work.

It is impossible to say how many of the Councilors will be willing to support my remaining on the Council despite the tremendous pressure I know will be exerted to remove me. However, my fellow Councilors know from their experience with me over the last eleven years, I’m an honorable man.

I have a two step strategy to keep a seat on the Council until the term ends. The first step is for supporters to send letters to my City Hall office, addressed to Judge Woodlock. In the letter please ask him that I be put on probation in order to continue my work in Boston rather than spend time in prison. Based on the charges, the maximum time in jail is 35 years. We will give these letters to the federal probation office that handles the pre sentencing work.

The second step is for supporters to send an email or letter to Council President Ross at City Hall with copies to my City Hall office asking that the vote on whether I stay on the Council take place after Judge Woodlock’s sentencing. By taking that step the Council would preserve the option of leaving me on the Council if the Judge puts me on probation.

Again, thank you for your support. Once we know whether how long I will be on the Council, I will write and let you know my plans once I leave the Council.

Sincerely,

Chuck

PS We are closing the district office today because of the costs. (The campaign owes us over $160,000 for the support of the office to date.) If you need services, please call my City Hall office. Staff from the Dudley office will be at City Hall on 11/08/10. This week they will be dismantling the District office.