Massachusetts US Attorney Rachael Rollins To Resign After Justice Department Ethics Probe

BOSTON (AP) – Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins will resign after a months-long ethics investigation by the Justice Department’s inspector general into her appearance at a political fundraiser and other potential problems, his lawyer said Tuesday.

The Justice Department’s watchdog has yet to release its report detailing the findings of its investigation, but a lawyer for Rollins told The Associated Press that he will send a letter of resignation to President Joe Biden at the close of the ‘activity Friday.

“He is optimistic that the important work he started will continue, but understands that his presence has become a distraction,” his lawyer said in a statement. “The work of the office and the Department of Justice is too important to be overshadowed by anything else.”

Rollins, who was represented in the investigation by former Justice Department Inspector General Michael Bromwich, was sworn in as Massachusetts’ top law enforcement officer in January 2022 after serving as Boston’s district attorney and the surrounding communities.

Rollins was praised by progressives for her approach to law enforcement before being elevated to the high-profile U.S. attorney job amid stiff Republican opposition. Vice President Kamala Harris twice had to cast a tie-breaking vote for her nomination to move forward.

United States Attorney for Massachusetts FILE – U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins for the District of Massachusetts listens during a news conference in Moakley federal court May 24, 2022, in Boston. Rollins’ lawyer says he is resigning after a months-long ethics investigation by the Justice Department’s inspector general into his appearance at a political fundraiser and other potential problems. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa)

The Associated Press first reported in November that the inspector general’s office had opened an investigation into Rollins over his appearance last year at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser with first lady Jill Biden.

People familiar with the investigation told the AP at the time that the probe had expanded to other areas, including Rollins’ use of his personal cellphone to conduct Justice Department business and a trip he took to California which was paid for by an outside group.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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