Demands Answers From Healey: “Are There Any More Cooks in Your Kitchen?”
BOSTON, MA – In response to the news that Maura Healey was aware of her Western Mass Deputy Director and alleged drug trafficker LaMar Cook’s criminal history during the hiring process, Republican candidate for Massachusetts Governor Brian Shortsleeve announced that when elected, he will institute a policy banning applicants with violent or drug trafficking related felony convictions from being hired by state agencies.
“It’s disgraceful that Healey hired LaMar Cook despite knowing his violent criminal history. This whole story boils down to Maura Healey’s terrible judgment and her lack of accountability, two qualities we cannot tolerate in a governor,” said Shortsleeve. “When I’m elected governor, we will institute a policy banning those with violent or drug trafficking related felony convictions from working for the state. It’s shocking this isn’t already state policy.”
“In any other organization, a middle manager would be fired for such reckless and dangerous decision-making,” continued Shortsleeve. “Healey can and should introduce this policy today. If she refuses to do so, the public can be assured that I will institute it on Day 1 as governor.”
Shortsleeve has consistently called on the Healey Administration to release all information on Cook’s hiring process since the day he was arrested, insisting she tell us what she knew and when she knew it. Now that the public knows Healey was aware of Cook’s convictions, he believes it’s time for the state to take appropriate action to ensure this incident isn’t repeated, and called on Healey to disclose if there are any other high-ranking members of her administration with violent criminal backgrounds.
“Maura Healey has displayed judgment unfit for the office of governor,” added Shortsleeve, “and LaMar Cook may not be the only example. Healey needs to assure the people of Massachusetts that she did not hire any other individuals with violent criminal histories for high-ranking positions in her administration.”