Governor: Allegations against son will get independent probe

By: Scott Cook

Email: scook@abc6.com

Twitter: @JscottCook

BOSTON, M.A. (WLNE) – Massachusetts governor, Charlie Baker, spoke out for the first time Monday about claims that his son, A.J., sexually assaulted a woman on an airplane.

"This is obviously a personal matter for my family and I won’t be discussing it at length," the Republican governor said at a press conference Monday morning.

A.J. Baker is accused of groping a woman on a JetBlue flight from Washington D.C. to Boston last Wednesday.

"Look, I love my son, but obviously these allegations are serious and they require independent review," said Governor Baker.

According to multiple sources, A.J. refused to stop touching the woman. Flight attendants had to separate the two and move the woman to another seat on the plane.

In a statement, JetBlue said:

"On June 20, the crew of flight 1345 were notified of an incident between customers shortly before landing in Boston. The aircraft landed at approximately 11p.m. local time where it was met by local authorities."

Baker was not arrested, nor was he required to appear in court.

The US Attorneys Office is now investigating.

"We expect the review to be fair and completely independent of this office,” Governor Baker said Monday. “State authorities are not involved in this matter. We look forward to a full complete and independent review by the U–S attorney’s office."

During the press conference, Governor Baker reiterated multiple times that his son would fully cooperate with the investigation.

Governor Baker is running for re-election this November.

(C) WLNE/ABC 6 2018