There have been loads of high-level shenanigans on Gov. Maura Healey’s watch, from fraud expenses, federal indictments and alleged improprieties of all stripes by these in energy.
Healey is swift and robust in her condemnation of breaches to the general public belief.
Generally.
On April 11, federal authorities arrested Rep. Chris Flanagan of Dennis Port on expenses that he stole tens of hundreds of {dollars} from a commerce affiliation he labored for, coated up the thefts, after which used the cash to pay private payments and fund his marketing campaign for elected workplace.
Prosecutors accused Flanagan, a Democrat who gained a second time period in November, of orchestrating a “multi-faceted scheme” through which he allegedly stole $36,000 from the House Builders and Remodelers Affiliation of Cape Cod between November 2021 and January 2023.
U.S. Legal professional for Massachusetts Leah Foley stated the 37-year-old used a majority of the allegedly stolen funds to pay private mortgage payments, pay down hundreds in bank card debt, make private expenditures, and even assist his first run for state workplace.
That very same day, Healey referred to as for Flanagan to resign.
“These are severe allegations in opposition to Consultant Flanagan that threaten to undermine the necessary work of the Legislature and forged doubt on his skill to faithfully serve his constituents. He ought to resign,” Healey stated in an announcement.
She was proper. So why the gradual stroll on the subject of embattled Sheriff Steven Tompkins?
On Aug. 8, the Suffolk County sheriff was arrested in Florida on federal expenses that he extorted a Boston hashish firm for pre-IPO inventory.
Federal prosecutors say he used his place to bully firm executives into permitting him to take a position $50,000 within the firm forward of an preliminary public providing, after which his stake elevated in worth to almost $140,000. When the inventory worth subsequently fell beneath his preliminary funding, prosecutors say, Tompkins demanded the complete $50,000 returned to “assist pay for marketing campaign and private bills.”
It’s practically every week later, and Healey has but to name for his resignation.
Earlier this week, Healey referred to as the allegations in opposition to Tompkins “severe” however stated she wanted “extra info earlier than commenting.”
“They’re definitely severe, and nobody in elected positions ought to ever use or abuse their energy in an illegal approach,” Healey stated. “I have to know extra about this. I have to get extra info.”
Why? If Healey wants “extra info” earlier than calling for a public official to resign, why pull the set off so rapidly on Flanagan? And if expenses threaten to undermine necessary work and forged doubt on one’s skill to serve, why hesitate with Tompkins?
Tompkins himself resigned from the Roxbury Neighborhood Faculty Board of Trustees, the place he served as chair, making it formal Tuesday in a letter to Healey.
In an announcement to the Herald, Healey stated Tompkins “made the proper resolution by stepping down from the Roxbury Neighborhood Faculty Board.”
Did she ask the sheriff to resign from his put up? As of this writing, no phrase but.
Both severe allegations are a breach of the general public belief or they’re not. They forged doubt on an official’s skill to do their job, or they don’t.
It’s not a coin toss.
Make up your thoughts, governor.
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