Former Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi used to pass laws, now he and three associates are in trouble with the law, facing federal corruption charges.

The government alleges that the group concealed efforts to help a Canadian software company win a $15 million state contract and hid the payments the four received for their influence.

DiMasi faces eight charges.

"This conduct, as charged in the indictment, forms the basis for the conspiracy and honest services mail and wire fraud charges that DiMasi and the other three defendants knowingly and willfully devised and executed and intended to devise, and then execute a scheme and artifice to defraud the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," said acting U.S. attorney Michael Loucks.

DiMasi, who resigned in January, claims he's innocent. He and the three other defendants were released on $10,000 bail.