BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Following allegations he sexually assaulted four men, Bryon Hefner, the husband of Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg, will attend rehab for a drinking issue.
"Bryon is seeking professional help for alcohol dependence, which will include his being admitted to an inpatient treatment center very shortly," Rosenberg said in a Friday afternoon press conference outside his State House office.
Four men told The Boston Globe that Bryon Hefner sexually assaulted three of them and kissed the fourth against his will--but said they felt powerless to do anything about it because Hefner is married to Rosenberg.
Rosenberg said he's committed to helping anyone who has been harmed.
"The last 24 hours have been heartbreaking and difficult," he said. "I have spent most of those hours processing those allegations, and I will continue to do so, even as Bryon prepares to enter treatment."
"This has been the most difficult time in my political life and my personal life," Rosenberg added.
"As Senate President, my concern is for the senators, the staff, and all those who have business before the Senate," he said.
When elected to lead the Senate, Rosenberg promised to wall off his then-fiancee after Hefner bragged about his influence on Beacon Hill.
"I repeatedly made clear that Bryon was to have no influence on what happens in the Senate," Rosenberg said. "He has no influence on policy, the internal operations of the Senate, or any Senate-related business. If Bryon claimed to have influence over my decisions or over the Senate, he should not have said that--it is simply not true."
He said he's looking forward to fully cooperating with the investigation into the sexual assaults--and said he's confident it will find Hefner had no influence on the workings of the Senate.
Rosenberg did not answer any questions, saying he could not due to the pending investigation.