No 'Rumor' Worcester Employees At Capitol, Officials On Lookout

WORCESTER, MA — Public officials across the nation have been outed after participating the Jan. 6 raid on the U.S. Capitol, and the Worcester City Council wants to make sure no city employees participated.

During a discussion at Tuesday's meeting about policing, At-Large Council Khrystian King said that he's received inquiries from constituents about the possibility city employees were at the Jan. 6 riot, and so King asked City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. to take a look.

"When I'm getting those questions myself, I want a report back," King said. "I have a duty and an obligation to ask the question."

In response, Augustus said he has not "heard a rumor, a whisper, a suggestion that any city employee" was involved in the riot. Augustus asked anyone to forward him allegations, but said he didn't feel comfortable going on the hunt for evidence.

"I'm not comfortable chasing something that's not based on a whiff of evidence," Augustus said.

Over the past week, lawmakers in other states, Seattle police officers, a former UMass Memorial employee and an elected Natick Town Meeting member have been outed as participants in either the riot or the preceding rally.

King's request was one of several made while the Council was considering an agenda item about the state's latest police reform bill, which was created following protests over the summer. King also asked Augustus for a report on the city's social media policy, and to report on whether the blue lives matter flag is being used on city property.

Several Councilors said they were uncomfortable investigating whether city employees went to Washington in their free time if there's no evidence that any did. The Council ultimately approved a motion to ask Augustus to report back if he receives complaints that a city employee was involved in the Capitol riot.