The fallout from Rachael Rollins won’t stop spreading.
The former top prosecutor — who used her taxpayer-funded credit card like it was her personal ATM when she was Suffolk DA — is back working on the public’s dime. So, does she have a credit card today?
The junior college confirmed she does not have one at her Roxbury Community College post. The Herald had to use the state’s Public Records Law (Chap. 66, Sec. 10) to obtain that simple answer.
“Ms. Rollins does not have a state-funded credit card,” Jordan Smock, Executive Director & Records Access Officer at Roxbury CC, wrote.
She’s paid $80,000 as a part-time employee at the college, so we asked if there’s any chance she will be bumped full-time.
“Additionally, changing Ms. Rollins’ position from part-time to full-time is not under consideration,” Smock added in the same public records response.
OK, now we’re getting somewhere. He tossed in a job description after the Herald sought that, too.
Rollins is a part-time projects administrator with a “mission to create a robust Restorative Justice Program in the communities that will serve citizens returning from incarceration and provide them with sufficient tools to emerge as leaders, where they can create systemic, sustainable, change for their communities.”
Rollins reports to a vice president at the school and focuses on “particularly women of color” who are just getting out of prison.
The state Department of Higher Education ran the other way when these questions were asked. That’s how public servants roll these days. If you have a legitimate question, they make you wait 10 days for a Public Records request to proceed through channels.
The Herald is told Rollins is working toward a state pension after serving as Suffolk DA and at Massport. But there’s more to this story …
DOJ credit card status
The Department of Justice, also via a records request, said they have no records of Rollins using a federally funded credit card. Not so fast, a source says.
Rollins may have also had use of a Boston-based DOJ card for expenditures while U.S. Attorney. So, it’s back to the 10-day window while we wait once again to solve this issue.
All we are asking is, what did Rachael Rollins spend on the taxpayers’ backs?
As we pointed out in a two-part report on her credit card bills, Rollins dropped $33,132 while Suffolk DA on food, hotel, travel bills — all paid for by taxpayers. She has never explained why and no records request can make her pick up the phone. Maybe she’ll write a fawning Oped for the other paper in town one of these days.
Until then, we study the public records laws and get requesting.
Procopio leaves State Police
David Procopio, the longtime tireless spokesman for the State Police, has left the MSP.
He’s joining the Regan Communications Group, a PR juggernaut, as vice president and managing editor. He was the first civilian spokesperson in Massachusetts State Police history.
“David Procopio has earned respect from many throughout this media market, and we are thrilled to have him rejoin us,” said George K. Regan, Jr., chairman and CEO of Regan Communications Group.
“It’s an honor to join this great team and help lead the region’s most consequential communications company,” Procopio said.
Plus, I bet he can sleep in more often in this role.
