There have been numerous 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 powerful 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 1000’s of {dollars} from a commerce affiliation he labored for, lined 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” wherein he allegedly stole $36,000 from the Residence Builders and Remodelers Affiliation of Cape Cod between November 2021 and January 2023.
U.S. Legal professional for Massachusetts Leah Foley mentioned the 37-year-old used a majority of the allegedly stolen funds to pay private mortgage payments, pay down 1000’s in bank card debt, make private expenditures, and even help his first run for state workplace.
That very same day, Healey known as for Flanagan to resign.
“These are critical allegations in opposition to Consultant Flanagan that threaten to undermine the essential work of the Legislature and solid doubt on his potential to faithfully serve his constituents. He ought to resign,” Healey mentioned in a press release.
She was proper. So why the sluggish stroll relating to 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 under his preliminary funding, prosecutors say, Tompkins demanded the complete $50,000 returned to “assist pay for marketing campaign and private bills.”
It’s almost every week later, and Healey has but to name for his resignation.
Earlier this week, Healey known as the allegations in opposition to Tompkins “critical” however mentioned she wanted “extra info earlier than commenting.”
“They’re definitely critical, and nobody in elected positions ought to ever use or abuse their energy in an illegal method,” Healey mentioned. “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 essential work and solid doubt on one’s potential to serve, why hesitate with Tompkins?
Tompkins himself resigned from the Roxbury Group School Board of Trustees, the place he served as chair, making it formal Tuesday in a letter to Healey.
In a press release to the Herald, Healey mentioned Tompkins “made the proper choice by stepping down from the Roxbury Group School Board.”
Did she ask the sheriff to resign from his publish? As of this writing, no phrase but.
Both critical allegations are a breach of the general public belief or they’re not. They solid doubt on an official’s potential to do their job, or they don’t.
It’s not a coin toss.
Make up your thoughts, governor.
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