"We must have compassion for a colleague whoselife is falling apart," Reeves said. "It is alegal matter and we must let the courts decide."

Reeves said, "the city council has no plans toaddress Walsh's indictment at its meeting nextMonday and that "the indictment of CouncillorWalsh does not touch on the public process ofCambridge."

Other long-time political opponents of Walshsaid, however, that the city council should notremain silent.

"I don't think the city can turn the other wayand pretend nothing's happened," said Michael H.Turk, cochair of the Cambridge Tenants' Union, apro-rent control organization that has beentracing Walsh's real estate dealings since 1989.

Turk, who says Walsh should resign, adds it isunlikely that Walsh kept his private dealsseparate from his interests as a city councillor.

The Independent camp, which holds the minorityin city council, has not only supported Walsh inthe political arena but has also been linkedclosely to Walsh's private real estate dealings.

Councillor Sheila T. Russell, an Independentwho has been both political ally and financialdealer with Walsh, would not comment on hercolleague's indictment. Former City Clerk JosephP. Connarton, who had financial investments withWalsh, also declined to comment, only saying thatthe indictment was "very unfortunate.