Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Transformation from Felon to Environmental Advocate
At 71, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is poised to become the next Secretary of Health and Human Services, a role that would fulfill his vision of making “America Healthy Again.” But Kenneth compared to his past, his journey has been a long and controversial one. In the 1980s, Kennedy Jr. was convicted of heroin possession and sentenced to two years of community service at the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, now known as Riverkeeper.
Under the mentorship of Robert Boyle, Kennedy Jr. was expected to make a fresh start, but he soon became increasingly focused on leveraging his famous family name for national recognition. Boyle, the founder of Riverkeeper, described Kennedy Jr. as a “despicable person” who virtually took over his organization. He claimed that Kennedy Jr. hired unsavory characters, including a former convicted smuggler, to work for Riverkeeper, and flaunted his newfound celebrity status by hiring a lawyer without disclosing his troubled past.
Boyle, who passed away in 2017, chronicled the tumultuous relationship in his book. He felt betrayed by Kennedy Jr.’s betrayal and distortion of the work they had started together. During his time at Riverkeeper, Kennedy Jr. became embroiled in a series of controversies, including hiring a former smuggler to work as a “staff scientist” and advocating for legislation that would benefit his own interests.
Kennedy Jr.’s reputation as an environmental advocate was cemented, but Boyle believed it was largely due to his famous last name. In a series of emotional interviews with Jerry Oppenheimer, Boyle revealed the dark side of Kennedy Jr.’s transformation, including his desire for recognition and his willingness to use his celebrity status to further his own agenda. Despite his initial intentions, Kennedy Jr.’s journey took a turn for the worse, and his legacy remains contentious to this day.
