SENATE’S ROSENBERG ‘SOLUTION’ NOTHING BUT A COP-OUT
Massachusetts lawmakers could have made a bold statement but instead they copped out.
The end result is that Massachusetts now has, in effect, two Senate presidents — an “acting” one, Harriette Chandler, and a shadow one, Stanley
C. Rosenberg — who will keep his seat and his aura of power while his colleagues con- duct an ethics investigation stemming from sexual assault allegations against his husband.
Once again, lawmakers put their own interests above the interests of the public and alleged victims.
It was quite the spectacle yesterday, the entire state Senate huddled behind doors and frosted glass in the old legislative document room so no one could see or hear what they were scheming.
So much for transparency. The only thing we learned that went on in the room is that they wolfed down pizza and went to the bathroom a lot.
“I don’t have to tell you how turbulent and tragic and surprising and sad the last four days have been to all of us,” Chandler said last night.
Two other words come to mind: confusing and absurd. That describes the decision lawmakers made, allowing Rosenberg to take his “leave of absence” from the presidency and presumably return to power as if nothing happened once an in-house ethics investigation is over.
And the senators left behind a number of unanswered questions, including:
• Will the new “acting” President Chandler get a big bump in pay and take the salary that goes with the presidency post?
• Will Rosenberg continue to get his fat salary, and sit in his luxurious and spacious Senate presidency office while he’s on “leave”?
• Will Chandler, a close ally of Rosenberg, recuse
herself if the investigation finds any evidence that Rosenberg knew of or tolerated spouse Bryon Hefner’s sexual misconduct? She can hardly be unbiased when it comes to Rosenberg, who gave her the powerful post of majority leader.
And the decision they made to run an ethics investigation from the confines of the Senate can hardly be a comfort to the alleged victims of Rosenberg’s husband. They’ve been afraid to come forward publicly because of fear over what could happen to their careers.
How many of them will be comfortable coming to the State House — where Rosenberg still has an office — and testifying before an ethics panel of Rosenberg’s colleagues?
And how can senators on the ethics committee be expected to run a thorough and tough investigation of Rosenberg, considering he will likely return to power and determine the path of their careers?
It’s unclear who the Senate will hire as an “independent” investigator but that investigator will be working for the Senate, which includes Rosenberg, and getting paid by the Senate, which means taxpayers.
The only bright light from the chaotic day of maneuvering yesterday was that Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, along with Attorney General Maura Healey, offered to investigate potential criminal charges against Hefner. Conley is a straight shooter and not just a Democratic boot-licker.
Let’s hope his investigation includes a serious look at allegations that Hefner tried to trade his access to his powerful husband for sexual favors, a charge that rises to corruption.