The head of the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board has been "relieved of duty," sources tell NECN's Ally Donnelly.
Wednesday was board chairwoman Saundra Edwards' last day on the job, sources said. In addition, the agency's executive director, Jeanne Holmes, has been placed on administrative leave, also effective Wednesday.
Edwards, a former Plymouth County prosecutor, served at the pleasure of Gov. Deval Patrick and as such was able to be replaced at any time.
According to a press release issued at 11:59 a.m. Wednesday, Edwards is being replaced as board chairwoman by Anne Conners, a former family child care licensor in the state Department of Early Education and Care and a former assistant coordinator at Children's Centers, Inc. She currently serves as an investigator at EEC, where she is responsible for investigating potential wrongdoing, reporting it to the district attorney and serving as a witness in criminal proceedings. She will transition from EEB to SORB in the coming weeks.
"Anne knows and understands the complexities of the criminal justice system as well as the policies and regulations related to SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information)," Secretary of Public Safety and Security Andrea Cabral said in the release. "In the course of investigating a number of high-profile cases, Anne has worked closely with the SORB, local law enforcement agencies, DCF and the District Attorneys' Offices for many years. She will hit the ground running."
Cabral also announced that Kevin Hayden, the Sex Offender Registry Board's general counsel, has been named interim executive director of the agency. He has served as general counsel since September of 2013 and has nearly 20 yars of experience as a legal professional.
Conners will now be responsible for hiring a permanent executive director, according to the press release.
Politics
The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board has an annual budget of $3.8 million and 50 employees.
