POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook ROSENBERG investigation begins — Harassment on BEACON HILL — JILL STEIN's Russia connection
ROSENBERG investigation begins — Harassment on BEACON HILL — JILL STEIN's Russia connection
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Partly sunny with a high near 45 in Boston.
ROSENBERG INVESTIGATION GOES FORWARD — Coming in just under its self-imposed two-week deadline to name a special investigator, the state Senate Ethics Committee has hired Hogan Lovells, US LLP, an international law firm with main offices in Washington D.C. and London. And it's assigned a team of three to look into whether Senate President Stan Rosenberg violated any of the Senate’s rules.
MEET THE TEAM — Anthony E. Fuller previously was a prosecutor for the U.S. District Attorney’s Office. Fuller's bio notes that his “significant trial experience” came in successfully prosecuting former House Speaker Sal DiMasi for bribery in 2011. Jody L. Newman is billed as “skilled at investigating high-risk claims on college campuses,” and Natashia Tidwell is a former federal prosecutor with both the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office with experience in white collar criminal investigations.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT — The investigation itself, though we have no idea how long that is going to take, and we won’t see any updates until it’s done. The Ethics Committee announced yesterday that it will not issue any more public statements until it has completed the investigation and submitted its findings in a report to the committee. The committee then decides if and how it will take action against Rosenberg.
Don’t forget that the Senate investigation has specific limits — and ultimately can only look into whether or not one of its own members committed any wrongdoing. This follows questions of what Rosenberg knew about alleged sexual harassment by his partner Bryon Hefner. Also happening at the same time: A criminal investigation into Hefner by AG Maura Healey and Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley and an FBI inquiry into whether Hefner offered a quid pro quo of Senate positions in return for sexual favors.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY — LG Karyn Polito, Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and local officials announce more than $35 million to support the development of affordable rental housing in the state. Polito then travels to Wales and Northborough to sign community compacts — The Joint Committee on Public Safety hears bills, including ones pertaining to body cameras and police-involved deaths — All three Democratic candidates for governor, Bob Massie, Jay Gonzalez, and Setti Warren, plan to attend the Boston Ward 4 Holiday Party in the South End.
** A message from New England Clean Power Link: Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, renewable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. More **
DATELINE BEACON HILL —
— “Sources: Beacon Hill encounters cost Globe reporter his job,” by Jack Sullivan, CommonWealth Magazine: “A prominent Boston Globe State House reporter, who was the subject of an internal sexual harassment complaint, was forced out last month after reporters and editors at the paper learned he allegedly initiated inappropriate communications with women who work on Beacon Hill, who were fearful of rebuffing his advances outright because of his position, say sources. According to sources familiar with the situation, Jim O’Sullivan, a longtime State House fixture who had been one of the Globe’s leading political reporters, was forced to resign after Globe reporters were alerted during the course of reporting on sexual harassment in the Legislature that he had uncomfortable and unwanted written communications with at least one woman, and possibly a second, who had work-related dealings with the Globe.”
— “Mass. State House 'Harassment': A Case Study,” by David Bernstein, WGBH: “Eileen Fitzgerald tried reporting what she saw as wrongful behavior at the Massachusetts State House. That was in 2008. Last year, the Commonwealth paid Fitzgerald $225,000 to settle her lawsuit claiming that she was retaliated against, and ultimately fired, for blowing the whistle. … The person central to her complaint remains on the public payroll.”
— “HIV spike among drug users worries health officials,” by Christian M. Wade, Salem News: “Health officials are alarmed about a recent spike in the virus that causes AIDS among some drug users, warning that the opioid crisis threatens to undo hard-fought gains in reducing the number of HIV and AIDS cases in the state. From Jan. 1 to Nov. 21, there were 64 new cases of the human immunodeficiency virus among individuals who inject drugs, representing 14 percent of all HIV cases reported this year, according to the state Department of Public Health.”
— “Audit finds unsafe conditions at group homes for foster children,” by Michael Levenson, Boston Globe: “A moldy mattress, a broken handrail, a dirty toilet, mildew in the shower, and a bathroom door that didn’t close all the way were among the unsanitary and unsafe conditions found last year during inspections of 30 group homes for foster children in Massachusetts, according to a federal audit released Monday.”
ON THE STUMP —
— “Heslam: Beth Lindstrom has proven herself,” by Jessica Heslam, Boston Herald: “There’s a lot for women voters to like about Beth Lindstrom. Especially those frustrated with Massachusetts’ one-party rule. The powerful GOP strategist, who has advised the state’s most popular Republicans over the past three decades, is now a candidate herself, taking on U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.”
— “L'Italien lashes back on residency,” by Lowell Sun: “State Sen. Barbara L'Italien shed the gloves and pushed back last week against criticism that she is running for the 3rd Congressional District seat despite not residing in it by pointing to the numerous carpetbaggers in the race. The state senator's Andover home had in fact been in what is today the 3rd District until 2011, when redistricting shifted that section of Andover to the 6th District.”
— “Gubernatorial candidate Setti Warren blasts Gov. Baker over Craig’s Doors funding freeze,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A Democratic candidate for Massachusetts governor is calling on the Republican governor to release money for the town’s homeless shelter, which he argues is pivotal for confronting the opioid crisis and combating addictions. Newton Mayor Setti Warren on Friday issued a statement expressing concern for the decision by Gov. Charlie Baker to freeze the $200,000 earmark for Craig’s Doors: A Home Association Inc., which operates the Craig’s Place shelter.”
THE TSONGAS ARENA —
— OBAMA ALUMS TURN OUT FOR KOH: MA-3 Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress Dan Koh, former chief of staff to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, was in Chicago yesterday for a luncheon hosted by John Oxtoby as well as a fundraiser featuring special guest David Axelrod. … In the room: David Axelrod, Drew Beres, Brian Brothman, Mike Cassel, Patrick Croke, Adam Hitchcock, John Oxtoby, Jon Samuels, David Solow, Matt Tully and Jaylin McClinton.
— Lori Trahan, another MA-3 Democratic congressional candidate, holds a fundraiser at the UMass Club in Boston tonight, according to an invite obtained by yours truly. Minimum suggested contribution is $500 and maximum is $2,700.
TRUMPACHUSETTS —
THERE IS ALWAYS A MASSACHUSETTS CONNECTION – “Senate intel committee investigating Jill Stein campaign for possible collusion with the Russians,” by Karoun Demirjian, Washington Post: “Stein, a Lexington physician, was present at a 2015 dinner in Moscow that was also attended by Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, whose contacts with Russian officials have been a chief focus of investigations. Flynn and Stein sat with Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
— “CHIP stalemate leaves care providers, families on edge,” by Andy Metzger, State House News Service: “It would be an ‘abomination’ for Congress to stop funding health insurance for children, according to a top official at Boston Children's Hospital who joined U.S. Sen. Ed Markey Monday to rally support for a program at risk of running out of money. After Congress let a September reauthorization deadline slip by, experts predicted funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) would dry up in some states - including Massachusetts - in early 2018. Markey said there has been no word from Congressional leaders on when CHIP might be reauthorized.”
— “Robert Mueller firing would spark 'uprising,' Ed Markey says,” by Andy Metzger, State House News Service: “Massachusetts would start a nationwide "uprising" if President Donald Trump fires Robert Mueller, the special counsel hired to investigate Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election, Sen. Ed Markey said Monday. The Malden Democrat hearkened to the armed militiamen who violently cast off Britain's yoke to form the United States more than 200 years ago while discussing the possibility of Trump seeking to end the investigation that has ensnared top officials from his campaign and administration.”
THE WARREN REPORT —
— “Warren and Sanders: Who Is Congress Really Serving?” by Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, New York Times: “With a government funding deadline looming on Friday, congressional Republicans face a choice. Will they spend this week just trying to deliver partisan tax breaks for the rich? Or will they work with Democrats to pass a budget that supports working people?”
MOULTON MATTERS —
— “Q&A with Seth Moulton: Democrats have to get it right,” by Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press: “After serving four tours of duty in Iraq and ousting a sitting member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton has set out a new challenge — helping usher in a new, younger Democratic leadership to a party striving to regain political power. Last year, Moulton was among a minority of Democratic House members to throw his support behind Rep. Tim Ryan’s failed bid to unseat Rep. Nancy Pelosi as the House Democratic leader.”
WOOD WAR — Herald: “RUSH HOUR HERO,” “WHY THEY LOVE TO HATE US.” — Globe:“President resets US worldview,” “With tax bill, home equity perks take a hit,” “AMTRAK TRAIN PLUNGES,” “Tufts, nurses forge contract,” “As heists go, it deserves a high-five,” “Audit finds unsafe conditions at group foster homes.”
THE LOCAL ANGLE —
— “U.S. Constitution Wins Appeal at Bunker Hill Community College; What About Other Massachusetts Campuses?” by Evan Lips, New Boston Post: “A disagreement between a state-run community college in Charlestown and a student group ordered by campus police last spring to stop distributing copies of the United States Constitution has finally been settled, resulting in a new policy increasing allowances for student expression. A pro-free-speech organization, however, is now asking the consortium of Massachusetts’s 15 public community colleges why the revised policy has yet to be adopted statewide.”
— “Funeral services for Eagle owner Robert G. Wilmers to be held Thursday in New York City,” by Berkshire Eagle: “The funeral for Robert G. Wilmers, the chairman and CEO of M&T Bank Corp. and an owner of The Berkshire Eagle, will be held Thursday in New York City. Wilmers died at his home in New York City on Saturday night. ‘He was 83, though anyone who didn't know it would have been hard-pressed to guess it of the bicycle-riding, winery-owning, civic-minded long-term CEO,’ a Buffalo News editorial described him on Tuesday.”
DEPARTURES LOUNGE — Mark Gallagher, state director for U.S. Senator Ed Markey, will be joining the Portland, Maine law firm of Drummond Woodsum as Government Relations and Campaign Consultant. He and his family will be moving to the Pine Tree State in the coming weeks. Gallagher has previously served as Campaign Manager and Deputy Campaign Manager for Markey’s two successful statewide elections. Gallagher is currently the longest serving in-state staff member of the federal congressional delegation.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY — to Emily Williams of Mayor Marty Walsh's successful reelection committee. She celebrated yesterday.
DID THE HOME TEAMS WIN? Yes! — The Celtics beat the Pacers 112-111 and the Bruinsbeat the Blue Jackets 7-2.
NEW: POLITICO is accepting applications for its fifth session of the POLITICO Journalism Institute (PJI), an educational initiative focused on newsroom diversity. The intensive program, which is designed for college students, will be held May 29 to June 9, 2018. It features hands-on training for up to 12 recent grads and university students interested in covering government and politics. Students also will have an opportunity to have their work published by POLITICO. All expenses are paid for the program, reflecting POLITICO's ongoing support of journalism education, newsroom diversity and recruitment of top-notch talent. Admissions are made on a rolling basis, so APPLY TODAY but no later than Jan. 15, 2018.https://www.politico.com/pji
Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.
FOR MORE political and policy news from Massachusetts, check out: http://politi.co/1qNSlWx
SUBSCRIBE to the Playbook family: POLITICO Playbook http://politi.co/2lQswbh ... New York Playbook http://politi.co/1ON8bqW … Florida Playbook http://politi.co/1OypFe9 ... New Jersey Playbook http://politi.co/1HLKltF ... Massachusetts Playbook http://politi.co/1Nhtq5v … Illinois Playbook http://politi.co/1N7u5sb ... California Playbook http://politi.co/2bLvcPl ... Brussels Playbook http://politi.co/1FZeLcw ... London Playbook http://politi.co/2xfDPuK … All our political and policy tipsheets http://politi.co/1M75UbX
** A message from New England Clean Power Link: Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, sustainable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. The entire line will travel underground and underwater, and is expected to deliver low-cost electricity to the Commonwealth over the next 40 years. Massachusetts can expect to reap $19.9 billion in benefits over the next 20 years alone, while ratepayers can expect to save $655 million a year in energy costs. Most importantly, the project is 100% privately financed and comes with a fixed-price bid, protecting taxpayers and ratepayers alike from any cost overruns. The project’s developers have also established a $20 million fund to assist low-income ratepayers in western Massachusetts. More **
Comments
Post a Comment