The Boston Globe reported yesterday that “[t]he scandal that ended the Senate presidency of Stanley C. Rosenberg moved out of the State House and into the courthouse Tuesday as Rosenberg’s husband, Bryon Hefner, faced accusations that he sexually assaulted three men and disseminated naked photos of a fourth without his consent.”
Hefner and Senator Rosenberg, who retains rank-and-file leadership at the State House, have since separated.
According to the Globe report:
Hefner, 30, pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault, four counts of distributing nude images without consent, and one count of criminal lewdness in Suffolk Superior Court.
He did not show emotion at the short arraignment. Assistant Clerk Magistrate Lisa Medeiros released Hefner on personal recognizance, forbade him from contacting victims or witnesses (except two people, whose names were not disclosed), set the trial for the spring of 2019, and prohibited him from State House grounds.
It marked Hefner’s first high-profile public appearance since a Globe story in November that detailed allegations against Hefner from four unnamed men who said he had sexually assaulted or harassed them and bragged he could influence Senate business. All four told the Globe they felt powerless to report the incidents because they feared alienating Rosenberg, with whom they believed Hefner held tremendous sway.
After the arraignment, Hefner did not respond to reporters’ questions. But his lawyer Tracy Miner released a statement.
“Mr. Hefner Rosenberg has pled not guilty to the charges and looks forward to defending himself in a court of law where accusers cannot remain anonymous and must face cross-examination,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, he has already been pilloried in the press for political purposes, having never had a trial.”
A statewide grand jury handed down the indictments last month after a joint investigation between the offices of Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and Attorney General Maura T. Healey.
