Massachusetts' Democrat Governor, Maura Healey, is under intense scrutiny and facing significant political backlash after her administration used thousands of dollars in public funds to pay a severance to a senior aide accused of trafficking cocaine.
The Controversial Payout and Swift U-Turn
Governor Healey, who is up for re-election, authorised a payment of $31,439 to LaMar Cook. This sum was part of a buyout clause in his contract and came on top of his annual base salary of $98,789. The payment was made after Cook was arrested in October on serious drug charges.
However, following public outcry and ridicule from constituents for giving taxpayer money to an alleged criminal, Healey's office performed a sharp reversal. Officials stated the payment was made in error and that they had 'taken action to get it back'. In a statement released on a Tuesday, her office asserted: 'Taxpayer dollars should never go to an individual who engaged in this type of outrageous criminal activity. This payment was erroneously made.'
The administration informed the Boston Herald that Cook was told last month he must return the money, but he has not yet complied. The Governor's Office is now preparing to file a formal legal complaint against the former employee next week to recover the funds.
Arrest and Charges: The Cocaine Interception
The scandal stems from an arrest in October. Massachusetts State Police intercepted a package containing eight kilograms (nearly 18 pounds) of cocaine that was destined for the governor's Springfield office. An officer posed as a delivery worker and handed the parcel to Cook, who was allegedly waiting at the state building to receive it.
This seizure was part of a broader investigation that began on October 10, when authorities confiscated two other suspicious packages holding 13 kilograms of cocaine at Hotel UMass in Amherst, where Cook had served as director for nearly seven years.
LaMar Cook, 45, was subsequently fired from his role as deputy director of the governor's Western Massachusetts office. He now faces charges of cocaine trafficking, alongside counts of carrying a gun and ammunition without a licence and driving without a licence. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in Springfield District Court.
Political Fallout and Demands for Accountability
Healey's political opponents were quick to capitalise on the controversy, lambasting the administration's competence and judgement. Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve called for an investigation, telling The Herald: 'The public deserves to know who authorised this payment, why it was approved, and what safeguards, if any, exist inside her administration.'
He further questioned the hiring process, noting Cook's prior gun charges, including an arrest linked to a drive-by shooting, were known from his background check. 'And yet, he was still hired. What else did they know? Who approved this payout?' Shortsleeve asked.
Fellow GOP candidate Mike Kennealy described the incident as part of a troubling 'pattern' under Healey. 'The Healey Administration continues to demonstrate a lack of competence and accountability. An administration that can’t manage basic hiring, oversight, and payroll procedures cannot be trusted to run state government,' he stated.
Cook, who was appointed by Healey in 2023 and praised by her as a 'proven leader' with deep community ties, has a history of legal issues. In 2001, he was arrested in connection with a gunfire incident in Springfield's Mason Square neighbourhood, facing charges including assault with a dangerous weapon and unlicensed firearm possession.
