State rep cleared of wrongdoing in House chamber incident

By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo has cleared a freshman state representative of any wrongdoing after the representative was found with another lawmaker’s aide in the House chamber following a late-night budget debate in April.

In a statement today, DeLeo said that his investigation of Representative Mark J. Cusack, a Braintree Democrat, and the female aide “concluded that they did not violate any law, House rule or House personnel policy and, most importantly, that there was no inappropriate behavior by either Rep. Cusack or the staffer involved.”

In a potential embarrassment for the speaker, however, DeLeo acknowledged that Cusack and the aide were part of a “post-budget gathering” of lawmakers and staff who were drinking beer in his office on April 28. Cusack and the unnamed aide then entered the chamber through DeLeo’s private door. DeLeo said Cusack, 26, and the aide were in the chamber “for no more than three to four minutes.”

“While I do not condone the inappropriate use of alcohol in the State House, I expect all members and staff of the House to exercise common sense and act responsibly at all times,” he said.

The speaker said, as a result of the investigation, he has ordered his staff to lock his private door after hours.

“With respect to the unnecessary presence of individuals in the chamber during non-business hours, Rep. Cusack has apologized to me; and I have accepted that apology,” DeLeo said. “Rep. Cusack has also apologized to others affected by this matter; and it is my understanding that those apologies have been accepted as well.”

In his own statement released minutes after DeLeo’s statement, Cusack said he was thankful that the speaker “acted swiftly in confirming that no inappropriate behavior occurred.”

“I have spoken with everyone involved in this situation and have apologized for any undue attention or aggravation this has caused,” he said. “ I apologize to my family, friends, colleagues and constituents for any appearance of impropriety.”

Cusack said he will “work each and everyday to best serve my district and ensure their voice is heard on Beacon Hill.” “This issue has been difficult for me and my family and we now consider the matter closed,” he said.

Cusack’s late-night revelry in the House revived memories of the so-called Animal House session 11 years ago, when some House lawmakers drank beer and shouted “Toga!’’ during an all-night budget debate.

On Monday, DeLeo, a 20-year veteran of the House, said he would not know if lawmakers party too much in the House during the long, grueling annual budget debate.

“I can tell you, I’m pretty well beat,’’ he said. “I just go home. So what other people do, I don’t know.’’

In his statement today, DeLeo struck a more reverential tone.

“The House Chamber belongs to the people of Massachusetts,” he said. “It is a place where we make laws and conduct the people’s business. It is a place where important occasions and addresses are marked by ceremony, and its traditions span much of the Bay State’s history. While no rules, regulations or laws were broken, Rep. Cusack and I both agree that as a matter of policy, the Chamber should be reserved for official business and ceremony only.”