City Councilor Criticizes Ricardo Arroyo After Election Interference Reports

City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo says he’s not stepping down, despite calls for him to do so - given the former US Attorney’s alleged involvement in his race for Suffolk County DA.

”We think that Ricardo Arroyo is not fit to serve on the Boston City Council.” said Paul Craney of the Mass. Fiscal Alliance.

His group and Councilor Erin Murphy think Arroyo needs to go in the wake of allegations he conspired with Rachael Rollins to influence his failed bid against Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden.

“According to the federal report, residents of Suffolk County had their election tampered with in ways extremely unethical, as well as potentially in violation of state and federal laws,” said Murphy in her statement.

Council President Ed Flynn says he’s not asking his colleague to resign.

According to the report, U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins violated the federal Hatch Act, which limits political activities of federal employees, involving an "an extraordinary breach of public trust by a senior government official".

One report said that while serving as U.S. attorney, Rollins helped Hayden's rival, Ricardo Arroyo, by “providing him campaign advice and direction and coordinating with Arroyo on activities to help his campaign.”

“I am beyond disappointed to read that my colleague, Ricardo Arroyo, apparently eagerly welcomed Rollins’s election tampering in order to advance his campaign for DA,” said Murphy in her statement.

“He must face swift and appropriate consequences,” she added.

NBC10 Boston Legal Analyst Michael Coyne says Rollins is facing serious charges, despite her departure. She and Arroyo are lawyers and he says both could be disciplined.

”Even if neither of them violated criminal laws, which is a dubious proposition. The board of bar overseers will likely act at least with respect to Rollins and may well act with respect to Arroyo.”

Rollins formally resigned from her post on Friday.