The Ethics Committee of the Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to open an investigation into allegations surrounding former Senate President Stan Rosenberg.
The committee plans to hire an independent investigator to determine if there is any validity to claims Rosenberg’s husband Bryon Hefner had influence over the workings of Senate.
Four men with business before the Senate, who anonymously alleged Hefner sexually assaulted or harassed them, told the Boston Globe they feared retaliation from Rosenberg if they reported the misconduct.
Acting Senate President Harriette Chandler expects the investigation will take 30-45 days.
" But we do not want it to be a whitewash and we do not want it to be a rush job at all. We want it to be thorough, " said Chandler in an interview with WAMC Tuesday morning.
Rosenberg took a leave of absence as leader of the Senate until the investigation ends.
