Crime & Safety
Read Findings Of Probe Into Rachael Rollins, Resigning MA U.S. Attorney
A new federal inspector general report says the state's top prosecutor attempted to swing an election, and soliciting free Celtics tickets.
BOSTON, MA — The Justice Department's internal watchdog has found that U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Rachael Rollins tried to meddle in the Suffolk County district attorney election, according to The Associated Press. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel also found that Rollins violated laws limiting the political activity of government workers.
The findings come after Rollins announced she would resign her post earlier this week. She served as U.S. attorney for 16 months following a long confirmation battle in the Senate. She was eventually confirmed in a 51-50 vote, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the decisive ballot.
The new report from the inspector general's office accuses Rollins of a wide range of misconduct. It claims that Rollins tried to interfere in 2022's Suffolk County district attorney race by giving information to the media suggesting that then-acting District Attorney Kevin Hayden was under federal investigation. The AP reported that Rollins allegedly helped the other candidate in the race, Ricardo Arroyo, by providing campaign advice and coordinating activities to support his campaign.
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Rollins is also accused of soliciting and accepting 30 free tickets to a Boston Celtics game for youth basketball players and taking payments from a sports and entertainment agency for a trip to a luxury resort.
The inspector general's office launched the investigation into Rollins over her appearance at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser featuring First Lady Jill Biden last year. The AP reported that the probe later expanded into other areas, including her use of a personal cell phone to conduct Justice Department business and a trip she took to California that was paid for by an outside group.
Find out what's happening in Bostonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Her attorney, former Justice Department Inspector General Michael Bromwich, said Tuesday she would resign at the end of the week due to an ethics investigation. "She is optimistic that the important work she started will continue but understands that her presence has become a distraction," Bromwich said in a statement.
See related: MA U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins To Resign Amid Ethics Investigation
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