Drug bust ensnares Healey's Western Mass. aide
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LaMar Cook, Western Mass. liaison for Gov. Maura Healey. Photo: Courtesy Massachusetts Governor's Office
Gov. Maura Healey says she has fired her Western Massachusetts aide who was arrested in a cocaine bust.
Between the lines: The arrest of LaMar Cook, the deputy director for the governor's regional office, has already drawn scrutiny from rival gubernatorial candidates.
State of play: Authorities arrested Cook, 45, Tuesday night, charging him with cocaine trafficking, and carrying a gun and ammunition without a license.
- They seized eight kilograms of cocaine that was delivered over the weekend to the State Office Building in Springfield, per the Hampden County District Attorney's Office.
What they're saying: Healey's office called the allegations against Cook "unacceptable" and "a major breach of the public trust."
- Her office plans to cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation.
Zoom in: As part of their investigation, police seized two packages of cocaine found at Hotel UMass on Oct. 10, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said.
- Cook was the director of Hotel UMass for nearly seven years before being appointed to state government in 2023.
The other side: Kedar Ismail, who is representing Cook, said he looks forward to clearing Cook's name, MassLive reported.
Flashback: Cook worked in hospitality and was active in Springfield as co-founder of the Back to School Brighter Initiative.
- He unsuccessfully ran for Springfield City Council and school board before being tapped to join the Healey administration.
- As deputy director, he earned an annual salary of $115,668, per state records.
Zoom out: Healey's Republican challengers for governor swiftly criticized her over the arrest.
- Mike Kennealy, who served as economic development secretary under former Gov. Charlie Baker, called Cook's arrest "a direct reflection of Healey's failed leadership."
- Brian Shortsleeve, the former MBTA chief administrator, said Cook's arrest and the employment of a convicted sex offender at the Registry of Motor Vehicles "reveal a total collapse of standards."