FBI, IRS raid state senator’s law office

February 17, 2016 2:16 pm

By Samantha Fenlon

sfenlon@abc6.com

The IRS and FBI raided the law offices of a State Senator representing Bristol and Norfolk Counties on Wednesday.

The raid happened at State Senator Brian Joyce’s office in Canton, Massachusetts. Several FBI agents were scene walking in and out of the building for hours.

Neighbors that spoke to ABC6 are trying to piece together exactly what is going on.

"I am shocked. You know, an attorney, a senator, you don’t expect to hear things like this," said Paula Rotondo, a Canton resident.

"I knew he did something wrong around Christmas, but not to this extent," said another.

Back in January, Joyce agreed to pay nearly $5,000 for using campaign funds to pay for his son’s high school graduation party.

Governor Charlie Baker had also asked for a State Ethics Commission investigation into an arrangement that allowed the Senator to get free dry cleaning from a local shop in his district for more than a decade.

The State House News Service is reporting that Joyce has called those accusations false, saying he provided legal services as part of an agreement.

Following the raid, Joyce’s attorney released a statement to ABC 6 News. It reads:

"It is unfortunate that recent stories in the media appear to have sparked an investigation. Senator Joyce has been cooperating with each inquiry that has taken place to date resulting from those stories and believes that he has done absolutely nothing wrong."

Amid the raid, Massachusetts Republicans are calling for Joyce’s resignation, citing his "remarkable disregard for the law."