In a daring transfer, Dorchester Councilor Frank Baker has filed an order compelling Mayor Michelle Wu to show over “any” paperwork associated to alleged sexual assault complaints in opposition to Ricardo Arroyo.
A replica of the “Section 17F” problem obtained by the Herald states Baker is searching for reviews “related to any of the Boston Police Department’s investigation” of Arroyo “while preserving the victims’ privacy.”
Arroyo, town council vice chairman and a candidate for Suffolk District Attorney, has denied he did something flawed.
That isn’t stopping Baker from “using every tool in the council’s toolbox,” as one observer put it, to unravel this scandal and “protect the integrity of the council.”
Baker’s order states, partially, that “it is important in the interest of transparency that the City Council has the necessary information in order to ensure the integrity of the body and the fitness of its members to serve.”
The second web page of the order seeks the data again from Wu inside 48 hours from this coming Wednesday when the 17F can be formally launched.
Baker can be searching for any college security reviews, “documents and communications” from BPD’s Sexual Assault Unit, “relevant” sufferer statements, and different associated communications in the event that they exist.
The part Baker is leaning on was adopted to permit the council to “judge the election and qualification of its members.”
Baker’s decisive transfer comes as help for Arroyo is wavering after a Globe story informed of outdated sexual-assault investigations in opposition to the 34-year-old councilor from Hyde Park when he was an adolescent.
Arroyo, in a press convention this week, blasted the leaking of the paperwork, suggesting it was a political hit job by rival Kevin Hayden’s DA workplace that warranted its personal felony investigation over leaks.
“Sadly, what has now become clear is that the current district attorney or an official working on his behalf, just weeks before this election is selectively and illegally leaked incomplete information to the media,” Arroyo mentioned. “This criminal act and abuse of power was clearly done to harm my reputation and impact an election in which Kevin Hayden’s administration has a vested interest.”
City Council President Ed Flynn, former U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III and Iron Workers Local 7 all rescinded their help for Arroyo’s marketing campaign for Suffolk DA on Wednesday.
Wu, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey haven’t.
Wu’s staff mentioned Friday evening they received’t see the order till Monday on the earliest. Flynn and Baker might additionally not be instantly reached.
This transfer does pit Baker in opposition to fellow councilors who haven’t moved in opposition to Arroyo, with others on the council presumably compelled come Wednesday’s assembly to take sides.
Fellow City Councilors Tania Fernandes Anderson and Kendra Lara, as an example, stood by Arroyo’s aspect at his press convention when he denied he assaulted anybody again in highschool.
As for Hayden, he has fired again at Arroyo’s allegations he was a part of any leak and specializing in disparities between what the Globe alleged and what Arroyo claimed.
“In the recent Globe story Ricardo Arroyo was clearly caught lying multiple times to reporters as he made seemingly frantic attempts to cover up the disturbing accusations against him,” a Hayden spokesman mentioned. “In the statement he put out after the fact he continues to change his story while also tossing out completely false and unfounded accusations in order to deflect from his own misconduct.”
The major within the DA race is Sept. 6.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”