Heads up: there’s a brand new “sheriff” on the town. However she’s no rookie.
She is U.S. Legal professional Leah Foley and he or she is doing the job that Legal professional Basic Andrea Campbell gained’t do.
And that’s to go after the unhealthy guys, whether or not they’re violent unlawful immigrants or politicians, most of whom are Democrats, since that’s all we now have in one-party Massachusetts.
Regardless of her youthful look, the Louisiana born and bred lawyer is one powerful prosecutor, no-nonsense and on a mission.
Vicious prison unlawful immigrants apart, the newest instance of Foley’s dedication to scrub up Massachusetts is the arrest of Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins on extortion costs.
His alleged abuse of his state-issued procurement card is one other matter.
Taken into custody in Florida the place he had been attending a convention, federal authorities charged that Tompkins used his workplace to stress a hashish firm to permit him to make a $50,000 pre-IPO funding.
Tompkins later allegedly demanded his a refund after his funding, which as soon as soared, later fell beneath the preliminary funding. Because the Herald reported, prosecutors alleged he needed the cash returned to “assist pay for marketing campaign and private bills.”
Tompkins, 67, was indicted on two counts of extortion by a federal grand jury. He was launched after posting a $200,000 bond.
Foley, in phrases that you’ll by no means hear from Campbell, the state’s “chief regulation enforcement officer,” stated, “Elected officers, notably these in regulation enforcement are anticipated to be moral, sincere and regulation abiding, not self-serving.”
No trial date has been set, and whereas Tompkins is presumed harmless till confirmed responsible, he might find yourself spending time within the Suffolk County Home of Correction, an establishment he has run since he was appointed sheriff in 2013 by then Gov. Deval Patrick.
Tompkins changed Andrea Cabral and has been reelected ever since.
It isn’t the primary case of alleged political corruption Foley has handled that has taken place underneath Campbell’s nostril, to not point out her lack of cooperation in coping with ICE arrests and deportations of violent prison unlawful immigrants.
Nevertheless, Campbell has made a reputation for herself amongst Democratic attorneys basic and progressives for suing President Donald Trump the best way Gov. Maura Healey did when she held the workplace.
With none enter or cooperation from Campbell, Foley, after an investigation earlier this yr, introduced the arrest of Cape Cod Rep. Chris Flanagan, a Democrat, for allegedly stealing funds from a commerce group he labored for.
That was adopted by the investigation, arrest and responsible plea of former Boston Metropolis Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, a Democrat, on costs of political corruption in a kickback scheme. There was no involvement by Campbell on this case both.
Campbell’s obvious detachment from political corruption circumstances, alongside together with her protection of unlawful immigrants, is nearly trumped by her refusal to symbolize State Auditor Diana DiZoglio in her try and compel the Democrat-controlled Massachusetts Legislature to open its books.
Regardless of the approval of 72% of the voters supporting the auditor’s bid to audit the Home and Senate, the motion has first been stymied by the Legislature, which calls it an influence seize, and now by Campbell.
It’s no coincidence that Campbell is siding with the Legislature — and in opposition to the general public — because the Legislature in a quid professional quo elevated her price range by $7 million.
Underneath the regulation apparently solely the legal professional basic can symbolize a state entity just like the auditor’s workplace in court docket, and Campbell is refusing to symbolize DiZoglio.
DiZoglio accused Campbell of blocking the need of the folks and of cozying as much as the Legislature. So, she has employed a non-public regulation agency at personal expense to do the work that Campbell is not going to do.
Whether or not it’s authorized or not is open to query. What shouldn’t be is that Campbell is obstructing the need of 72% of the Massachusetts voters.
Perhaps DiZoglio ought to rent Leah Foley.
Veteran political reporter Peter Lucas could be reached at: peter.lucas@bostonherald.com
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