Truth can’t be found in Senate ethics inquiry
Hefner case best left to authorities
State lawmakers should shut down their failed investigation into former Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and turn the case over to law enforcement.
The probe by the Senate ethics panel is stuck because only one alleged sexual harassment victim of Rosenberg’s husband has come forward to cooperate, according to a Globe report — with the rest preferring to stay anonymous and far away from Beacon Hill. And who can blame them? Rosenberg is not only still working the hallways of the State House, but it appears he wants to return to his job as Senate president.
With that backdrop, it’s no wonder that the alleged victims prefer to stay out of sight, fearing retribution if they come forward.
The Senate made a big mistake by taking charge of the investigation in the first place. While the ethics panel did hire an outside law firm, this is not an outside investigation. This is an inside job.
The Senate — where Rosenberg works and still holds sway — is ultimately in charge of the ethics investigation, with the law firm reporting to them.
There’s no way the victims of alleged sexual misconduct by Rosenberg’s husband, Bryon Hefner, will feel comfortable dealing with an investigation run by other state senators.
The entire investigation, which was launched in November, has been a big waste of time and money. We don’t know how much the law firm is making because the Senate won’t reveal that.
But safe to say, it’s a lot of money. And taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for an investigation that has no chance of succeeding.
The Senate should end its investigation, and leave Hefner and his possible influence on Senate business to real investigators — from Attorney General Maura Healey’s office and Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley’s office, who reportedly have begun their own probe.
There’s a far better chance the alleged victims will get to stay anonymous and have their complaints heard fairly in a neutral setting there, before authorities who aren’t ultimately beholden to Rosenberg.
But as usual, lawmakers are completely clueless.
“As long as (the victims) come forward voluntarily, they will have full confidentiality,” acting Senate President Harriette Chandler told reporters yesterday.
And if they don’t come forward voluntarily, then what? Will they be forced to answer a subpoena?
“I don’t have any problem with the integrity of the investigation,” Chandler said.
No, of course not. But the question is not whether you feel comfortable with the investigation, Acting President Chandler. The question is whether the victims feel safe. And clearly they don’t.