There was “no question” former U.S. District Attorney Rachael Rollins needed to resign after a pair of federal studies accused her of a number of moral violations, Gov. Maura Healey mentioned Friday.
Rollins resigned as the highest federal prosecutor in Massachusetts final week after she “committed an extraordinary abuse of her power” when she violated the Hatch Act, a legislation prohibiting federal workers from collaborating in partisan political exercise, one of many federal studies discovered.
Another report accused Rollins of utilizing her place to sway final 12 months’s race for Suffolk County District lawyer between Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo and DA Kevin Hayden.
And Healey mentioned Friday that Rollins’ alleged conduct was “troubling and disappointing.”
“There was no question that she had to resign. I also support the ongoing efforts of the men and women in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. I worked closely with them as attorney general. And I know, Attorney General Campbell will continue to work and work with them as well,” Healey mentioned on GBH’s Boston Public Radio.
Healey mentioned she has not spoken to Rollins for the reason that studies have been launched.
Asked whether or not there needs to be a felony investigation into Rollins’ conduct or if the Board of Bar Overseers ought to think about a license suspension, Healey mentioned “I’ll leave that to others with jurisdiction and authority.”
Healey deflected when requested whether or not there needs to be a felony investigation into Rollins’ conduct or if the Board of Bar Overseers ought to think about a license suspension.
“I’ll leave that to others with jurisdiction and authority,” Healey mentioned. “I don’t have a comment on that.”
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy stepped into the appearing U.S. Attorney position after Rollins resigned. Healey mentioned she has “a lot of faith” in Levy.
“He’s a highly regarded lawyer and federal prosecutor and has been the first assistant in that office. And I know that he will continue to lead that office as it needs to be led at this time,” Healey mentioned.
Healey first addressed Rollins’ alleged conduct the day the studies have been launched, saying she had no indication that Rollins might have been influencing the Suffolk DA’s race.
“I think that the important thing for people to know is that the US Attorney’s Office is strong,” Healey mentioned on the time. “There are so many great people who are working in that office, who have worked in that office and I know the good work of that office will continue.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”