SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – The deputy director of Gov. Healey’s western Massachusetts office has been fired amid an ongoing investigation.
Payton North, spokesperson for the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, said that 45-year-old Lamar Cook of Springfield was arrested Tuesday.
As part of an ongoing investigation, authorities have seized several packages that have contained a combined total of approximately 21 kilograms of suspected cocaine. On Saturday, a controlled delivery, during which eight kilograms were intercepted, took place at state office building on Dwight Street in Springfield, where Cook was employed. According to the state’s website, it indicates that Cook served as deputy director of Healey’s Springfield office. On Monday, a search warrant was executed on Cook’s former office.
On October 10, investigators reportedly intercepted and searched two suspicious packages, which contained approximately 13 kilograms of suspected cocaine, at Hotel UMass in Amherst. Evidence collected in Amherst operation “was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery in Springfield,” North explained, adding that the investigation into the UMass seizure remains ongoing and “may result in additional charges related to the prior shipments in Hampshire County.”
Cook was arrested while operating his vehicle in Springfield and has been charged with trafficking in cocaine (in relation to the seizure from the Springfield operation), unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition. He is expected to be arraigned Wednesday in Springfield District Court.
In a statement to Western Mass News, a spokesperson for Gov. Healey’s office said that the office “has been made aware of the arrest of an employee, Lamar Cook.” They added that he “has been terminated from his position effective immediately.”
“The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust,” the governor’s spokesperson explained, adding that “This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work.”
Western Mass News will continue to follow this story and will have more on the story at noon on ABC40.
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