Henriquez steps down from city post
Carlos Henriquez, the former state representative who was forced from office after he was convicted of assaulting a woman in 2014, has resigned from a controversial new post in Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s administration.
In a statement Friday, Walsh did not lay out a reason for Henriquez’s resignation, only saying that he had accepted it and will look to fill the post quickly.
The appointment of Henriquez to a taxpayer-funded antiviolence position was the subject of a Globe story last week, and community advocates questioned whether someone with a history of assaulting a woman should be working for the city in such a role. Henriquez had previously been working for the city as a consultant.
Walsh initially defended the appointment of Hernandez, saying he believes in second chances. In the statement Friday, he pointed out that he was critical of Henriquez at the time of his conviction in 2014 and that he had asked him to step down from his seat in the state Legislature.
“I also made clear at that time, and continue to believe today, that any violence against any woman at any time is totally unacceptable,’’ the mayor said in the statement.
He added, however, “I also believe in second chances. My own life in public service has been made possible because of them.’’
Walsh was referring to his recovery from alcohol addiction.
The mayor said in the statement Friday that he “and many others who have engaged with him since his release have come to believe Carlos strongly shares the belief in the important role the city can and should play in protecting, intervening on the behalf of, and promoting the interests of our residents regarding these vital issues in our communities.’’
Henriquez, 41, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Once a promising, rising public figure, Henriquez served six months in prison for his conviction in 2014 for punching a woman who refused to have sex with him.
He never accepted guilt for the incident, however, fueling criticism of his appointment. His role had been described as special assistant for community engagement, working on antiviolence. The position paid $89,000 a year.
Henriquez’s expulsion from the House of Representatives was the first of a member of the Legislature in nearly 100 years.
But the treatment of Henriquez, while rattling Beacon Hill, also polarized the minority community, including many who felt he was treated unfairly.
Some community members, such as state Representative Russell Holmes of Mattapan, praised Walsh for giving Henriquez a second chance. Holmes had voted in 2014 for Henriquez to be censured, rather than stripped of his seat.
