Rachael Rollins, the former U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, resigned last year amid ethical concerns and has now come under scrutiny for her spending practices as the Suffolk County District Attorney. An investigation by The Boston Herald, which analyzed public records, suggests that Rollins frequently used a government-funded credit card to pay for expensive meals at high-end restaurants, which appears to violate state spending guidelines.
During her tenure as district attorney, which spanned from 2019 to 2022, Rollins reportedly charged lavish meals to her taxpayer-funded credit card. In one week alone in June 2021, expenses included $115.23 at the Atlantic Fish Company, $156.54 at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, and $195.82 at the Salty Dog Seafood Grille & Bar. The spending didn’t stop there; receipts also show a $128.79 meal at Sonsie and $93.58 at Barcelona Wine Bar, both located in Boston.
Additionally, Rollins’ use of the credit card extended beyond local dining. On a trip to New York City, she reportedly spent over $200 at Merchants River House and accrued over $400 in charges for a hotel stay and Uber rides. Another outing in New York saw her spending $423.84 at an Italian restaurant.
The state of Massachusetts specifically prohibits the use of government-issued credit cards, known as P-cards, for personal expenses such as meals, snacks, coffee, and alcohol. Despite a reported salary exceeding $190,000 as district attorney, Rollins’ spending on the card included smaller amounts on fast food and coffee, further blurring the lines between personal and official expenditures.
Rollins, a Democrat, faced criticism and praise for her approach to crime in Boston, opting not to prosecute low-level offenses such as shoplifting, trespassing, and drug possession, which garnered support from liberal circles and condemnation from conservative critics. Her nomination by President Biden to the U.S. Attorney position was lauded by Massachusetts Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren as a progressive choice.
After stepping down amidst the ethics investigation led by the DOJ over her attendance at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser, Rollins took a part-time administrative role at Roxbury Community College. In this capacity, she is involved in developing a program to assist prisoners with re-entry into society. The recent revelations about her spending habits have raised questions about the appropriateness of her financial decisions while serving in a position funded by taxpayers.