Judge grants Ricardo Arroyo request to release records linked to sex assault accusations
BOSTON - A judge ruled Thursday that case files from two sexual assault investigations involving Boston City Councilor and Suffolk District Attorney candidate Ricardo Arroyo must be released by 2 p.m. on Friday.
Arroyo wanted the files released ahead of Tuesday's primary election.
On Thursday, attorneys for Arroyo and the City of Boston made their arguments on if the case files from almost two decades ago should be released.
The Boston Globe first reported about past allegations of sexual assault against Arroyo. He was never charged and said he was never even told about the investigations.
An attorney for the city said their position is that the disclosure of the records would be inappropriate, adding that all of the records are focused on the victim, and should remain confidential.
Thursday night, Superior Court Judge Debra Squires-Lee ruled in favor of Arroyo. Under the order, the documents must be released with specified redactions.
During Wednesday night's debate against interim District Attorney Kevin Hayden, Arroyo maintained his innocence. But Hayden said Arroyo had to have known about the allegations.
In a statement Thursday night, Arroyo said, "As I have maintained from the beginning, I've never sexually assaulted anyone. And I know the records that I will receive tomorrow will show the allegations from 2005 were determined to be unfounded."
Attorneys for the alleged victim in 2005 said their client is disappointed with the ruling, but she respects it.
"She hopes that this intrusion into her life will not deter other victims from seeking the protection of the judicial system, which is so necessary for survivors of sexual abuse," the attorneys said. "We also wish to reaffirm that our client told the truth. There is absolutely nothing in the file that suggests in any way that she was not credible."
