The U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts says the Superintendent of Chicopee Public Schools has been arrested for making false statements about sending threatening messages to a candidate for city police chief.
U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins says 51-year-old Lynn Clark of Belchertown is charged with one count of making false statements and was due in federal court in Springfield today. The Attorney’s Office says Clark on multiple occasions denied sending about 100 threatening messages to the candidate from fictitious phone numbers purchased through a mobile app last year. After suggesting the messages were sent by a member of Clark’s own family, other city employees and the candidate’s colleagues, Clark later admitted to FBI investigators that she sent the messages.
The candidate withdrew their application for police chief.
The charge Clark faces carries a prison sentence of up to five years and a maximum $10,000 fine.
"The Mayor’s Office is aware of the situation and we are working to ensure that School Department operations continue smoothly through this transition as the education of children remains paramount," Mayor John Vieau, who chairs the Chicopee School Committee, said in a statement to WAMC. "Today’s arrest is disheartening for the City of Chicopee. The School Committee will meet tonight in executive session to decide on a proper course of action."