The top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts announced that she would be resigning following the accusations that she had attempted to use her position to influence the results of Boston’s district attorney race by liking information that would sabotage the campaign of her chosen candidate.
In a report released by the Justice Department’s internal watchdog on Wednesday, it is noted that U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins had engaged in broad-ranging misconduct. According to the inspector general’s 161-page report, Rollins, who was celebrated by progressives after being sworn into office in January 2022 for her handling of law enforcement, has lied under oath by falsely stating that she had not been behind the leak of a Justice Department memo to a reporter. However, she later admitted her involvement in the lead.
In December, the inspector general’s office referred the allegation to the Justice Department to look at whether prosecution for false statements would be necessary in this case, however, the department chose not to prosecute.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, a different federal watchdog agency, also found in their investigative report that Rollins had violated the Hatch Act, a law that restricts the levels of political activity allowed for government workers.
In the report, it is also noted that Rollins had solicited and received 30 free tickets to a Boston Celtics game for youth basketball players and from receiving payments from a sports and entertainment agency.
The watchdog further accuses Rollins of trying to influence the Suffolk County district attorney race by trying to get her top deputy to release a letter alleging that they were investigating District Attorney Kevin Hayden.
