State Ethics: Rosenberg Should Not Be Senate President Again

BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM) -- The State Ethics Committee says Senator Stan Rosenberg should not be Senate President again. 

An ethics investigation found that Stan Rosenberg's conduct didn't violate specific senate rules, including the one that prohibited Senators from using their positions for personal gain. 

However, he was found to have demonstrated a significant failure of judgement and leadership.

His estranged husband, Bryon Hefner, was indicted on felony sex charges by a statewide grand jury in connection with sexual assault, criminal lewdness and distributing nude photos without consent.

That indictment came following an investigation by the State Attorney General Office and the Suffolk County District Attorney last month following a joint investigation after allegations that Hefner sexually assaulted one victim on three separate occasions. 

Hefner, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.

The allegations initially surfaced by a report in the Boston Globe which led Rosenberg to relinquish his role as Senate President late last year. Rosenberg later separated from Hefner amid these allegations

In a press conference at the State House, the committee said that Rosenberg did not violate any formal Senate rules, but violated Senate's information technology policy by sharing his computer password with Hefner -- giving him unfettered access to Rosenberg's senate email account.

A statement from Ethics Committee Statement said that:

"Essentially, Senator Rosenberg failed to protect the Senate from his husband, whom he knew was disruptive, volatile and abusive."

The entire Senate will consider the Ethics Investigation's full 80 page report and will vote to accept it's recommendations that Rosenberg does not serve as Senate President, a committee chair, or in a leadership position until the conclusion of the 2020 legislative session.

The full report can be found below.

In a tweet, Governor Charlie Baker has called for the Senator's resignation.

WBZ NewsRadio1030's Producer Jay Borselle and WBZ NewsRadio1030's Kim Tunnicliffe at the State House contributed to this report.

WBZ NewsRadio1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports.


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