Grand Jury To Probe MBTA Cop's Gun Pointing Incident: Suffolk DA

BOSTON, MA — A grand jury will take over a probe into the actions of a MBTA transit cop who reportedly pointed a gun at a driver in April 2021 and then tried to cover up the incident.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced the probe Wednesday, several days after a Boston Globe investigation revealed Hayden accepted a campaign donation from the transit police officer in question.

U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins initially opened an investigation into officer Jacob Green in April 2021 when she was the Suffolk DA. She left the local job earlier this year to become the region's top federal prosecutor, and Hayden took over.

"Our announcement today comes amid questions about this investigation and the path it took toward a determination to seek charges. It is important to note that there was never any action taken to close this investigation. The ultimate decision to pursue charges in any investigation rests with me, and me alone," Hayden said in a Wednesday news release.

The Globe reported that after Green and his attorney made a campaign donation, a member of Hayden's staff told Green's lawyer the investigation into the gun pointing incident was over, the paper reported. Hayden's campaign has since returned the donation.

Hayden will face off in the Sept. 6 primary against Boston Councilor Ricardo Arroyo. In reaction to the Globe story, Arroyo said Hayden's office acted to "cover up and not prosecute this case of police misconduct."