Senate President, Governor Not Asking Joyce to Resign

Originally published on Jan. 18, 2016.

CANTON, MA - As it stands, state Senator Brian Joyce will not be asked to resign.

Senate President Stanley Rosenberg told WHDH he will not request the Milton Democrat’s resignation and wants to see the process play out.

The comments are similar to those made by Governor Charlie Baker, who called the investigation “troubling” but told reporters he wants to see it goes.

The Massachusetts GOP has called for Joyce’s registration through a statement from party chairperson Kirsten Hughes.

Wednesday, investigators from the IRS and FBI raided Joyce’s law office in Canton. The FBI said they were conducting “court authorized activity in connection with an ongoing federal investigation.” No further information was available.

In a statement, Joyce’s attorney Howard M. Cooper said “It is unfortunate that recent stories in the media appear to have sparked an investigation. Senator Joyce has been cooperating with each inquiry that has taken place to date resulting from those stories and believes that he has done absolutely nothing wrong.”

Over the past year, Joyce has been the center of multiple controversies. In May 2015, he stepped down from his leadership positions after an investigation accused him of advocating before state regulators on behalf of Energi, a private client.

In January, Joyce agreed to pay nearly $5,000 for using campaign funds to pay for his son’s 2014 graduation party. In the same month, a Boston Globe investigation questioned a relationship between Joyce and a Randolph business that provided him with free dry cleaning. Joyce’s attorney, David H. Rich said the agreement was the business’ way of paying for Joyce’s legal services.

Joyce has served in the Massachusetts Senate since 1998.