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Mary Beth Heffernan, The State’s Next Hack Judge
Old hacks never die, they just become state judges and make $130,000 for “working” 35 weeks a year.
Just ask Mary Beth Heffernan, the “embattled” secretary of public safety who finally got the boot last week.
“She’d make a great judge,” Gov. Deval Patrick said. Of course she would – she’s given the governor at least $875.
Everyone knew Heffernan was on track to early retirement, which is what a state judgeship is. How did we know this? Because she stopped making donations to state politicians just over a year ago.
The rule is, you have to stop paying off politicians once you put in your judicial application.
The other rule is, until you put in that application, you damn well better give ‘til it hurts.
Future Judge Mary Beth Heffernan’s name appeared on the job application of hack poster gal Sheila Burgess. And she was the cabinet secretary in charge of the State Police when they tried to cover up the mysterious pre-dawn accident of Lt. Gov. Tim Murray in 2011. He was going 108 m.p.h. hour at the time, although he lied to reporters that he was doing the speed limit.
Speaking of Murray, according to public records at the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF), Mary Beth has given Tiny Tim at least $525 over the years. He’ll be wielding the gavel in the Governor’s Council when her nomination comes up for a vote next year.
Mary Beth is from West Roxbury, as are two other Heffernans from West Roxbury, in their 70’s, who have also given Tiny Tim close to $2,000, even after Mary Beth had to stop sending him cash.
One of them is named Paul Heffernan. Mary Beth has not answered repeated email inquiries as to whether Paul is her father, although multiple sources at the State House say he is.
In an amazing coincidence, Paul Heffernan is himself a retired judge. He used to be the clerk of the Boston Juvenile Court, but then Whitey Bulger’s brother Jackie wanted the job, so Heffernan was kicked upstairs with a judgeship and Jackie got the open slot. Alas, Jackie is now better known by his Bureau of Prisons number – 23986-038. Perjury and obstruction of justice.
As a judge, Heffernan was often in the news. The SJC once remarked on his “sarcasm and hostility.”
But since 2003 he’s getting the big kiss in the mail. As the former clerk, as of 2009 he was collecting $14,291.64 a year. Plus he gets a judicial pension of $66,150.36.
No wonder Mary Beth’s looking forward to dying and going to heaven, just like Dear Old Dad.
Let’s run down a few of her other fellow hacks Mary Beth has done the right thing by over the years.
There’s Sal DiMasi, who has his own BOP number, 27371-038; Senate president Therese Murray, mentioned three times in the probation indictment; ex-Rep. Marie St. Fleur, the Haitian-born tax deadbeat; Jolly John Rogers, the very ethical solon from Norwood; Speaker Bob DeLeo, who very much doesn’t want to meet the U.S. attorney; and ex-Sen. Marian Walsh, to whom Deval tried to give a $175,000 hack job that had gone unfilled for a decade.
Isn’t one-party government great?
thanks, was about to post link
btw...Howie is off WRKO right now. A couple days ago people said that WRKO was unusually strong to the west post sunset. Did the engineer forget to switch the pattern to north-south at 4:15 or so?
Guess what: a couple minutes ago RKO switched off. Usually they come back on within seconds, with the signal switched to “protect” other stations.
They’re still off. ENTERCOM HAPPENS