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His arrest also connected to 13 kilograms of cocaine intercepted earlier at Hotel UMass in Amherst — a location where Cook had previously been employed.
“Evidence collected during that operation was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery in Springfield,” Gulluni confirmed.
The 45-year-old state official pleaded not guilty in Springfield District Court and was released after posting $25,000 bail.
On social media, Cook had long presented himself as a respected government insider. His LinkedIn profile boasted: “As the Western Massachusetts Director for Governor Maura Healey, I serve as a key liaison between the state government and the western region of Massachusetts.” He claimed to coordinate state policy across four counties — an impressive résumé now overshadowed by the gravity of his charges.
The Healey administration wasted no time distancing itself from the disgraced aide.
“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,” a spokesperson for Governor Healey told Boston 25 News. “Mr. Cook has been terminated from his position effective immediately.”
The statement added, “This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work.”
Still, the scandal has dealt a major blow to Healey’s image as a “clean government” reformer. Political opponents wasted no time pouncing on the explosive development.
Republican candidate Mike Kennealy, who is eyeing the 2026 governor’s race, didn’t mince words. “Healey has lost control of every aspect of her administration,” he wrote on X. “When I’m Governor, we’ll clean up the mess that Maura Healey created.”
Another GOP contender, Brian Shortsleeve, the former head of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, was equally scathing. “A top aide to Gov. Maura Healey is a drug trafficker. This is beyond shocking,” he said. “This is a reflection not just on our governor and her failed leadership and management skills, but on our entire state, and we shouldn’t tolerate it. Gov. Healey owes Massachusetts an explanation.”
As of Thursday evening, Healey’s office had not responded to further requests for comment from multiple outlets, including The New York Post.
The case raises serious questions about how such an individual rose through the ranks of the governor’s administration unchecked — and whether this was an isolated incident or part of a wider network of corruption.
For now, the focus remains on the staggering allegations — a state official, once entrusted with representing the governor’s office, allegedly helping funnel cocaine into a government building.
Even in scandal-ridden Massachusetts politics, this one stands out — a jaw-dropping mix of power, access, and alleged criminal enterprise that could haunt Governor Healey’s tenure for years to come.
Jail LaMar Cook For 30 Years, And Make Him Pay Each Year For His Stay I Jail. Then Investigate The Govenor And Others On Her Staff To See Who Is Selling Drugs.