BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM) – The estranged husband of former State Senate President Stan Rosenberg, has been indicted on felony charges Thursday.
Bryon Hefner indicted on felony charges by a statewide grand jury in connection with sexual assault, criminal lewdness and distributing nude photos without consent.
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The announcement was made by the State Attorney General Office and the Suffolk County District Attorney following a joint investigation after allegations that Hefner Hefner sexually assaulted one victim on three separate occasions.
The allegations initially surfaced by a report in the Boston Globe which led Rosenberg to relinquish his role as Senate President late last year.
Hefner is scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on April 24.
Rosenberg, who separated from Hefner amid these allegations, issued a statement following the indictment announcement
"These are serious charges. They are now being handled by the judicial system. I have faith in that system and trust that it will adjudicate this case fairly,"
Current State Senate President Harriette L. Chandler, who replaced Rosenberg released a statement following the indictment.
“These charges are deeply disturbing, and I thank the victims for their tremendous bravery in coming forward. Clearly, the actions described will not be tolerated, and the Senate will cooperate fully with the District Attorney and Attorney General’s Office.”
Rosenberg himself is under ethics investigation, over whether Hefner may have had any influence over any decisions made by the former State Senate leader on Beacon Hill.
WBZ Political Analyst Jon Keller says that the indictment is something that will be felt in political circles for quite sometime.
"This kind of flagrant, alleged sexual abuse and misconduct, by someone close to one of the top officials in the State, sort of has a category all unto itself. It’s an appalling case, and one that’s going to reverberate in a lot of different ways for a long time," Keller said.
"This is the kind of behavior that, perhaps, once upon a time, would be covered up or people would look the other way. No longer – and, while it’s gratifying that message goes out, it’s absolutely appalling that this went on and, to some extent, was enabled by the status Hefner had as the partner of one of the most powerful people on Beacon Hill," Keller said.
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