- Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office declined to investigate the party
- Wu defended the event, insisting it was a “long-standing” tradition in Boston
- White state lawmakers and others said it fueled division
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu did not violate the state's discrimination laws by hosting a “whites only” holiday party because the event was not open to the public, the Massachusetts attorney general has ruled.
Democrat Wu hosted the controversial event for “elected officials of color” in December.
Her aides intended to invite her six “colored” council members, but they accidentally sent the details of the event to seven white members as well.
Wu defended the event, insisting she sees no wrongdoing because it is a “long-standing” tradition and was not her only holiday.
Democrat Wu hosted the controversial event for “elected officials of color” in December. She posted this photo of the party on social media afterwards, defending the 'long-standing' tradition
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell (left) is not investigating the party despite receiving complaints. Her office said Wu did not break any laws because the event was not public
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell received four complaints from the public and asked her to investigate.
But because the event was not open to the public, it did not violate public accommodations laws that prohibit discrimination, her office said.
Campbell, himself a former city council member, has not yet personally commented.
She was elected the state's first black attorney general last November.
Campbell previously ran unsuccessfully against Wu in the mayoral race. She is a staunch Democrat and her campaign focused on police enforcement and access to abortion.
Her twin brother Andre died in police custody in 2012 while awaiting trial, and her father was also a repeat offender.
Wu and Campbell will be seen together in 2019. Campbell previously served on the city council
Wu defended the party in a social media post and radio interviews
Her mother died in a car accident while she was on her way to visit him in prison, while she and her twin brother were still babies.
In her role as the state's top attorney, Campbell advises the executive branch of state government and defends actions and proceedings on behalf of the state.
She is not publicly associated with Democratic superdonor George Soros, who has supported and funded other prosecutors in the state, including disgraced former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins.
Rollins resigned in May of this year amid a slew of allegations that she abused her power to help elect another liberal prosecutor in her previous job.
She rose to prominence in her role as Suffolk County district attorney for refusing to prosecute crimes.