No Criminal, Civil Rights Violations In DA Rollins Complaint: AG

BOSTON, MA — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey's office found no civil rights violations or violations of criminal statutes in an incident involving Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins.

Dorchester resident Katie Lawson filed a complaint with the Boston Police Department, alleging Rollins flashed her blue lights and threatened her with a ticket when Lawson tried to merge in front of her at the South Bay shopping center on Christmas Eve.

"[The Attorney General's Office] findings confirm what District Attorney Rollins has said from the beginning: she had the right of way and took necessary actions to avoid an accident," Ronald Sullivan Jr., Rollins's attorney, said in a statement.

Healey's office began reviewing the complaint last month and referred it to the State Ethics Commission Thursday. In her referral, First Assistant Attorney General Mary Strother wrote that the office spoke with Lawson and Rollins's lawyers. Both parties submitted written statements as well.

"Many of the facts surrounding the events that occurred between Lawson and DA Rollins on December 24, 2020 at approximately 1 p.m., are undisputed, with a few key exceptions," Strother wrote. "Both parties admit to being present and involved in trying to exit the South Bay Plaza parking lot in their respective vehicles."

Lawson admitted that Rollins had the right of way but alleged that Rollins used her Chevy Tahoe to block Lawson's vehicle, saying, "don't try me today lady, today is not the day," the AG's office said. Rollins then threatened to issue her a ticket and used her emergency lights and siren, Lawson alleged.

Lawson also told investigators Rollins drove straight through a red light in a right turn only lane to leave the parking lot.

Rollins denied making a comment about a ticket but admitted to tapping her siren to get Lawson's attention and avoid a collision, the AG's office said.

Video footage from the shopping plaza did not show the exact moment the two vehicles converged, nor did it indicate whether emergency lights were used at that time, the AG's office said.

"The footage also shows the Chevy Tahoe, with Lawson's vehicle behind it, drive straight through an intersection at Massachusetts Avenue and Newmarket Square from the right turn only lane," Strother wrote. "However, the footage does not show conclusively whether the traffic light was red at the time. As DA Rollins and Lawson confirmed, we did not observe any use of blue lights at that intersection."

Rollins's attorney described the referral to the Ethics Commission as "routine" and said his client "welcomes this review."

"[Rollins] fully expects a quick resolution by the Ethics Commission as well," Sullivan said.

Previously: AG Reviewing Road Rage Complaint Involving DA Rachael Rollins