Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O'Brien has been terminated from her role, an action confirmed by State Treasurer Deb Goldberg on Monday, CBS Boston reports. O'Brien, who has persistently denied the allegations against her, faced accusations of making "racially, ethnically and culturally insensitive statements" during her tenure.
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In a detailed statement, Goldberg explained that her decision followed an exhaustive review, which included "over twenty hours of meetings, reviewing hundreds of pages of testimony and documents, and evaluating statutes, case law and policies," as reported by CBS Boston; she regretted the necessity of the dismissal, acknowledging O'Brien's history of public service but emphasizing the commission's need for professionalism and reflection of its mission, the gross misconduct cited as the primary reason for O'Brien's inability to fulfill the role, although no specific details were provided in the public announcement, Goldberg conveyed a serious determination that her actions were not in line with the Commission's standards.
O'Brien's lawyer, Max Stern, fiercely contested the termination, alleging in a statement obtained by WCVB that there was no justification for the removal and criticizing Goldberg for denying O'Brien a public hearing to challenge and possibly overturn the allegations, "Treasurer Goldberg's interpretation of a fair hearing is akin to the secret trials employed by autocratic regimes," said Stern in the face of what he described as unfair inquiry proceedings and treatment.
The dispute appears likely to continue in the legal arena, as NBC Boston reported, O'Brien's legal team hinting at further actions to be pursued in court; O'Brien was initially suspended last September, with Goldberg pointing to allegations of misconduct and mistreatment of former CCC Executive Director Shawn Collins, these allegations vehemently denied by O'Brien who countered with legal recourse last fall, public disputes and behind-the-scenes tension clearly undermining the CCC's leadership stability, according to a statement from Stern shared by NBC Boston.
In the interim, Ava Callender Concepcion and Debbie Hilton-Creek have acted in managerial capacities within the embattled agency as the search for permanent leadership continues, the Massachusetts Legislature and the Cannabis Policy Committee aim to address the CCC's administrative burdens through fall hearings and potential structural reevaluation, as reported by NBC Boston
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