Hearings on Shannon O’Brien’s suspension will last until June

Hearings to decide the fate of suspended Cannabis Control Commission chair Shannon O’Brien are expected to last until June. (Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Meetings to decide the fate of suspended Cannabis Control Commission chair Shannon O’Brien are expected to drag on into June after an hours-long closed session ended Friday with no apparent resolution and both sides declining to comment publicly.

Goldberg removed O’Brien from her post last fall, claiming that “several serious allegations,” including alleged racist comments, led to the decision. But O’Brien fought back, denying the allegations and accusing Goldberg of “relying on anonymous witnesses.”

As Goldberg entered the conference room in her office on Friday, she did not say whether she had any goals for the hearing.

“I am not at liberty to discuss what is happening,” she told the Herald. When she left later that afternoon, Goldberg declined to comment on the need for a fourth meeting.

O’Brien’s lawyer Max Stern said the talks would last for four days “in order to allow all witnesses to appear.” He declined to comment further.