2 Massachusetts Lawmakers Accused Of Sexual Misconduct Since 2017

MASSACHUSETTS — Two Massachusetts lawmakers are among more than 100 across the country now accused of sexual misconduct in the four years since the onset of the national “#MeToo” reckoning in 2017, according to data collected by The Associated Press.

The state lawmakers are among other politicians, entertainers and business leaders exposed in the social justice movement to end sexual abuse and sexual harassment. The movement began in 2017 when movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, now a convicted sex offender, was accused by more than 80 women of sexual misconduct allegations dating back to the late 1970s.

The movement that inspired the #MeToo hashtag also prompted a flurry of new legislation, training requirements for legislators and investigative guidelines in statehouses across America, including in Massachusetts.

The AP compiled the database as part of its ongoing coverage of how politicians are responding to sexual misconduct claims. It includes state lawmakers only.

It doesn’t include members of Congress or other elected officials investigated regarding sexual misconduct claims — notably New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is embroiled in a sexual harassment investigation, or Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, who was initially investigated in connection with sex trafficking and now faces a larger review into public corruption.

Some of the allegations against state lawmakers are no less serious.

Nationally, more than 40 of the accused state lawmakers have resigned or were expelled from office, and at least as many others faced other repercussions, including the loss of committee leadership positions, The AP reported. A handful were cleared.

The lawmakers included in the database are predominantly men, but a couple of women also have been accused of sexual misconduct. Both Democrats and Republicans are the subjects of what could be career-ending investigations.

In Massachusetts:

• Senate President Stan Rosenberg, a Democrat, resigned on May 4, 2018 after a Senate ethics report concluded he failed to protect the Senate from his husband, Bryon Hefner, who was indicted on sexual assault charges. Rosenberg had stepped aside in December 2017 from his leadership position because of the investigation into allegations that his husband sexually abused several men, including some who had dealings with the Legislature. Hefner pleaded guilty Sept. 10, 2019, to indecent assault and disseminating a nude photo.
• Rep. Paul McMurtry, also a Democrat, was accused by several lawmakers in a Jan. 16, 2019, story in the Boston Globe of grabbing the backside of a newly-elected female lawmaker during a Dec. 13, 2018, reception for new lawmakers at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. A House committee that investigated the incident determined in March 2019 that no action should be taken against McMurtry, saying it "did not find by a preponderance of the evidence" that McMurtry "made intentional contact."

About three-fourths of the states have passed some 75 laws and resolutions over the past two years that target sexual harassment, abuse or assault in government or in private business. About half the states renewed or extended deadlines to pursue criminal charges or civil lawsuits over childhood sexual abuse.

In Massachusetts, the House adopted new procedures in March 2018 largely aimed at protecting the confidentiality of people who have experienced sexual harassment but fear retaliation from powerful lawmakers if they come forward. One provision called for the appointment of an equal opportunity employment officer in the House to review complaints. The measure passed unanimously, but was not a bill and did not need to be signed by the governor.

States also updated their sexual harassment policies and required training of lawmakers on appropriate workplace conduct. At least 45 House chambers and 43 Senate chambers now require legislators to receive training on appropriate workplace conduct and on preventing, identifying and reporting sexual misconduct.

About half of state legislative chambers have turned to independent investigators to look into complaints of sexual misconduct and harassment by lawmakers.

Massachusetts requires training for state lawmakers, but does not require external investigation when a member is accused of wrongdoing.