‘NO QUESTION' ROLLINS HAD TO GO
Gov. Healey leaves no doubt about prosecutor's demise
There was "no question" former U.S. District Attorney Rachael Rollins had to resign after a pair of federal reports accused her of multiple ethical violations, Gov. Maura Healey said Friday.
Rollins resigned as the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts last week after she "committed an extraordinary abuse of her power" when she violated the Hatch Act, a law prohibiting federal employees from participating in partisan political activity, one of the federal reports found.
Another report accused Rollins of using her position to sway last year's race for Suffolk County District attorney between Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo
and DA Kevin Hayden.
And Healey said 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 said on GBH's Boston Public Radio.
Healey said she has not spoken to Rollins since the reports were released.
Asked whether there should be a criminal investigation into Rollins' conduct or if the Board of Bar Overseers should consider a license suspension, Healey said "I'll leave that to others with jurisdiction and authority."
Healey deflected when asked whether there should be a criminal investigation into Rollins' conduct or if the Board of Bar Overseers should consider a license suspension.
"I'll leave that to others with jurisdiction and authority," Healey said. "I don't have a comment on that."
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy stepped into the acting U.S. Attorney role after Rollins resigned. Healey said 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 said.
Healey first addressed Rollins' alleged conduct the day the reports were released, saying she had no indication that Rollins may 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 said at 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."