Senate to hire independent investigator in Hefner allegations

Senate leaders say they will hire an independent special investigator to look into allegations of sexual misconduct by Bryon Hefner, the husband of Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg.

Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler said in a statement late Thursday night that the decision to bring in an independent investigator is unprecedented.

“These charges are very serious and very disturbing, and I am shocked and saddened,’’ Chandler said in a statement late Thursday night. “In order to ensure a completely impartial process, and because of these unique circumstances which involve the Office of the Senate President, we will be going to the unprecedented step of bringing in an independent special investigator.’’

A Globe report released on Thursday detailed the accounts of four men who say Hefner sexually assaulted and harassed them over the past few years. Three of the men alleged Hefner touched their genitals — two of whom said Hefner did this more than once — and a fourth man said Hefner kissed him against his will.

The victims include a lobbyist and an advocate for nonprofits.

The Globe found no evidence that Rosenberg knew about the assaults.

Both Rosenberg and Hefner said they were surprised by the allegations. But prior to the Senate announcement Thursday night, Rosenberg said he supports the call for an independent inquiry and recused himself from any matters related to an investigation.

“I am recusing myself from any matters relating to this investigation and these allegations, and authorizing Majority Leader Harriette Chandler to serve as the majority party lead for this investigation, in consultation with Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and Senate Counsel,’’ he said in a statement. “I leave it to them to structure an appropriate process to conduct this investigation as soon as possible.’’

Tarr called claims against Hefner “serious and disturbing’’ and said they “deserve to be carefully examined and addressed.’’

“Without a doubt, there must be a full and fair process by which the facts should be evaluated, and any wrongdoing in this case should be dealt with swiftly and properly addressed,’’ he said in a statement. “No one should manipulate, harm, or abuse anyone else and when they do, there must be appropriate consequences.’’

In the hours before the Senate’s announcement that it would hire an independant investigator, Governor Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey also called for a swift inquiry into the allegations, either by the Senate Ethics Committee or through a third party. Speaking to reporters outside his office on Thursday, Baker called the Globe report “distressing’’ and “disturbing.’’

“Frankly, I am appalled by the allegations,’’ he said. “The Senate needs to start an investigation, and it needs to start pronto.’’

Baker also emphasized that the victims who anonymously shared their stories in the Globe report must be assured that they will not face retribution for cooperating with an investigation into their allegations.

“They need to be crystal clear with the people involved in this, so they can speak about their concerns and raise the issues raised in that story without worrying about consequences,’’ he said. “It was very clear reading that story that some of those folks were worried about the consequences going forward.’’

Healey, too, called the allegations “deeply disturbing.’’

“We need a full investigation, and we need to send a clear message that harassment and assault of any kind will not be tolerated on Beacon Hill,’’ she said in a statement.

Rosenberg will continue to serve as Senate president in all other matters while this investigation is ongoing, Chandler said in her statement.