Brian Shortsleeve for Massachusetts BOSTON, MA — Republican candidate for governor Brian Shortsleeve today called on Governor Maura Healey to answer five simple questions about the hiring of former aide LaMar Cook, who now faces drug trafficking and weapons charges after working in a high-level role in the governor’s office. Prosecutors allege Cook was involved in a scheme to traffic large quantities of cocaine and say investigators discovered a digital scale with traces of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in his government office. Despite the seriousness of the case, Cook received more than $31,000 in vacation buyback pay from the state after his arrest. Governor Healey now says, “I wish he’d never been hired,” but has never explained how he managed to get hired in the first place, given his criminal history.
“Instead of simply saying she wishes Cook was never hired, Governor Healey must explain why she hired him in the first place and what steps she has taken to ensure this sort of egregious failure of judgment never happens again,” said Shortsleeve. “You cannot wish away accountability.”
Shortsleeve called on Governor Healey to publicly answer the following questions:
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Reporting has revealed the State Police made you aware of Cook’s dangerous criminal history, so why did you hire him?
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After Cook was arrested, he received more than $31,000 in vacation buyback payments from the state. Has that money been fully recovered from him?
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Have you identified who approved the $31,000 payout, and if so, was that person subject to any discipline?
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Can you confirm that taxpayer funds paid to Cook after his arrest were not effectively used to post his bail?
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How many individuals currently employed by the Commonwealth have criminal records, and what steps have you taken to ensure no more Lamar Cook’s are ever hired for roles in your administration?
“Massachusetts residents expect basic competence and accountability from their government,” Shortsleeve said. “If she is truly regretful about hiring Lamar Cook, then the governor must provide clear answers to these questions so the public can understand exactly what went wrong and how it will be prevented from happening again.”