The stench of corruption festers on Beacon Hill.

As the sun prepares to set on another less than memorable formal session of the Massachusetts Legislature, it appears also about to set on the career of another less than memorable political hack.

Rosenberg SHNS Photo
Rosenberg SHNS Photo
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Former Senate President Stanley Rosenberg (D-Amherst) is under immense pressure to resign from the Senate following the release of a 77-page report by the Senate Ethics Committee yesterday, which determined that Rosenberg violated the trust placed in him to lead the Senate by giving his husband "unfettered" access to his Senate email, and failing to intervene when he knew, or should have known that his husband had sexually and racially harassed staff and others.

Bryon Hefner SHNS Photo
Bryon Hefner SHNS Photo
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Hefner has been indicted on charges of sexually harassing four men with business on Beacon Hill.

While the report finds that Rosenberg broke no Senate rules, the report finds his failure to intervene with his husband Bryon Hefner had "destructive consequences" for the Senate. Rosenberg served as Senate President between 2015 and 2017, when he stepped aside pending the outcome of the Senate Ethics Committee probe.

Senate Ethics Committee Chair Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) SHNS Photo
Senate Ethics Committee Chair Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) SHNS Photo
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The Ethics Committee is chaired by Senator Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport).

Ah yes, the carousel of corruption goes around and around. Rosenberg joins a long list of legislators who've disgraced themselves in recent years by being corrupt. A handful even went to jail.

The list of those demanding Rosenberg go away immediately is long and growing. It includes Governor Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healy, and Former New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang.

Long before the gold dome was ever erected on Beacon Hill, the area was known as Mount Whoredom. British troops who occupied Boston in 1775 knew that a few bucks could buy you anything. Seems as though little has changed since then.

Good riddance, Stanley Rosenberg. Don't let the revolving door catch you on the way out.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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