JESSE KING: A 45-year-old Springfield, Massachusetts, man and now-former member of the Healey administration is being charged with trafficking cocaine.
The arrest came after a lengthy investigation that, according to WAMC Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief James Paleologopoulos, showed the suspect using at least two state properties to receive large amounts of suspected cocaine.
James is here with us now, James what can you tell us?
JAMES PALEOLOGOPOULOS: Jesse, hello! I can tell you for the past few weeks, state police in Massachusetts have been trying to pin down who was destined to receive almost 21 kilograms of suspected cocaine [that arrived in the Commonwealth], shipped in through Kentucky.
As a result, they’ve arrested LaMar Cook, who has been serving as Deputy Director of the Governor’s Western Mass. Office in Springfield for the past two years.
He was arraigned today on cocaine trafficking charges, as well as charges related to a gun and ammunition police found in his Springfield home.
KING: What can you tell us about Cook?
PALEOLOGOPOULOS: Cook was first brought on by the Healey administration in 2023 – working downtown at what some call the “little State House” on Dwight Street. Cook himself has described the job as a “liaison” role – he’s often at groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings, standing in for and representing the governor.
Before that, he was the hotel director at Hotel UMass, the university’s on-campus hotel. He’s also been called a “community leader”– he was a co-founder of the “Back to School Brighter” program, which has provided free haircuts and back-to-school supplies for kids in Springfield.
He’s also tried running for school committee and the city council in the past.
KING: So how did he end up being accused of trafficking cocaine and how far back does this go?
PALEOLOGOPOULOS: According to court documents, the case involves two drug shipments authorities intercepted in Kentucky.
One shipment dates back to Oct. 8 – that’s when a state police narcotics unit was notified by Homeland Security Investigations that 12 kilos of suspect cocaine had been found – they were allegedly bound for Hotel UMass.
It was addressed to someone named “Morgan Gordon” – remember that name.
A day later, there was what’s known as a “controlled delivery” to the hotel. Police monitored the delivery – and noted staff were confused since no one had checked in under that name. Eventually, the parcels were moved to a back room and ended up in a loading dock, where they weren’t picked up.
Police later called the operation off.
Two weeks later, state police were flagged by HSI again. This time, almost 8 kilos were found in Kentucky – destined for the Springfield State Office Building on Dwight Street – specifically, the governor’s Western Mass. office.
That led to another controlled delivery on Saturday. A trooper posed as a UPS driver – he couldn’t get into the locked state building – and was flagged by security who in turn, called Cook. Cook allegedly said he was waiting for a delivery.
Shortly before that, Cook allegedly called another security officer, saying he was waiting for a delivery.
Cook later arrived and told the undercover trooper he wasn’t sure who the package belonged to – and sought to bring it into the office himself.
KING: And then what happened?
PALEOLOGOPOULOS: That led to a confrontation and an arrest team moving in. Cook would be detained but released from the scene.
State police pieced together Cook was linked to both the Springfield and Hotel UMass cases. The cocaine seized in both cases had branding that read “GOLD.” – and carry a street value of what’s likely over $300,000.
Authorities also uncovered evidence of Cook seemingly driving to and from the area on an almost weekly basis, since at least late September. All the while, UPS itself flagged various deliveries marked for the hotel –parcels that were ultimately delivered for one “Gary Woods” and again, “Morgan Gordon.”
To top it all off, security footage was later recovered, showing at least two occasions where Cook either followed the delivery driver or managed to find the packages at the hotel’s loading dock – carrying them off himself.
I should note, Cook appears to be facing charges related to the Springfield shipment so far – the Hotel UMass shipment is not listed as evidence involved in the current case.
Cook was formally arrested Tuesday and pleaded “not guilty” in court Wednesday.
KING: How has the Governor’s office responded to the charges?
PALEOLOGOPOULOS: A spokesperson for Democratic Governor Maura Healey has told WAMC Cook’s been fired and quote “The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust.”
KING: James, thank you for your time
PALEOLOGOPOULOS: Thank you!
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Full statement from a spokesperson for The Office of Governor Maura Healey:
“The Governor’s Office has been made aware of the arrest of an employee, Lamar Cook. The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust. Mr. Cook has been terminated from his position effective immediately. This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work.”
