Immigrant shelter whistleblower asking DOJ to investigate ‘disturbing pattern’ at taxpayer-funded hotels

A former immigrant shelter director in Massachusetts is petitioning the U.S. attorney general to investigate a “disturbing pattern" of criminal activity in the state-run system.

A former migrant shelter director in Massachusetts is petitioning Attorney General Pam Bondi, right, and the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the "disturbing pattern" of criminal activity, despite Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey's extreme criticism of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.  (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images | Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images | Getty Images / Fox News Digital)

Though this case was particularly egregious, Fetherston said that "there is a lot of undocumented violence that goes on" and that rape, domestic violence, sex trafficking, drug dealing and other crimes are so commonplace in the Massachusetts shelter system that many incidents simply fall through the cracks.

Fetherston said, "The entire experience has shaken me to my core."  

In a letter sent to Bondi this Monday, Fetherston said that this was "not an isolated incident" but despite his raising the alarm, "there has been a deliberate wall of silence. No reforms. No accountability. Just more spin, stonewalling, and bureaucratic excuses."

"This is a crisis—one that requires federal action now," he said.

Fetherston is now asking Bondi to launch a full investigation into criminal activity and sexual violence within Massachusetts-run migrant shelters, widespread fraud and misuse of federal and state funds, the deliberate refusal to coordinate with federal law enforcement agencies and the pattern of retaliation against those reporting abuse, danger or misconduct.

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Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey pauses to look at the Army cots set up on the gym floor as State and local officials toured the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex. (Getty Images)

"Families were placed in overcrowded, poorly managed facilities with little to no oversight, where safety was constantly compromised," he explained. "Local communities were never consulted, resulting in growing resentment and fear. Neighborhoods saw increased police calls, strain on emergency services, and the burden of absorbing hundreds of people without additional resources."

He said the Healey administration’s "lack of transparency and refusal to collaborate with municipalities left both residents and local officials in the dark, with serious consequences." He also claimed he has faced retaliation for speaking out, including "having my safety threatened, being publicly discredited, and physically targeted."

"If you challenge the narrative, you’re silenced," he said. "That culture of suppression has created a dangerous environment where truth is buried and accountability is nonexistent."

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Meshach Little of Northill Wilkston Security Firm walks the perimeter of the main living area at the state's new emergency overflow shelter for migrants at the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images))

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Healey’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Healey has previously expressed outrage and called for a full audit of the state’s shelters after it was discovered that a 28-year-old illegal immigrant, Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, was discovered using a shelter to store an AR-15 and nearly $1 million in illegal drugs.

Fox News Digital's Joshua Q. Nelson contributed to this report.

Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/immigrant-shelter-whistleblower-asking-doj-investigate-disturbing-patternat-taxpayer-funded-hotels