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Former Healey aide charged with cocaine trafficking is granted bail
"While we are happy the bail is granted, in this economy, most can't just pony up" the $85,000 bail, his lawyer said.
The former aide of Gov. Maura Healey charged with cocaine trafficking can now post bail after a previous judge ordered him held without bail following a dangerousness hearing.
LaMar Cook, 45, served as deputy director of Healey’s Western Massachusetts office in Springfield before he was fired “effective immediately” after his arrest late last month. Cook also faces charges of illegally owning a firearm and ammunition and driving without a license, the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office previously said.
Cook filed a bail petition in Hampden Superior Court, where a judge ruled at a hearing last week to grant bail at $85,000. To be released, he would post the bail and surrender his passport, according to court documents.
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“Scale and sophistication of alleged drug operation shows danger to the community,” the judge wrote, but noted that Cook has “strong family support,” a “history of positive community activities,” and no criminal record.
He has yet to post bail, according to court records. His lawyer Kedar Ismail said “while we are happy the bail is granted, in this economy, most can’t just pony up” the $85,000 bail.
“His family is doing everything they can to get this gentleman home for the holidays,” Ismail told Boston.com in an email.
After pleading not guilty in Springfield District Court Oct. 29, Cook has since been in custody at the Hampden County House of Correction, according to court records.
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Investigators seized multiple parcels containing a combined 21 kilograms of suspected cocaine, eight of which were intercepted during a controlled delivery operation at the Springfield State Office Building on Dwight Street, the DA said. Cook’s former office was also searched in October.
The investigation stemmed from two prior drug seizures where investigators found about 13 kilograms of suspected cocaine after intercepting two suspicious packages at Hotel UMass in Amherst on Oct. 10, the DA said previously. Cook previously worked as the director of Hotel UMass, according to his LinkedIn.
Several of the kilograms of suspected cocaine allegedly intercepted by authorities displayed the word “GOLD” — which could connect the package to a drug cartel, a Massachusetts State Police report alleges. Federal officials in Kentucky flagged a package that allegedly contained about 7,800 grams of suspected cocaine with “GOLD” imprint as well on Oct. 24 bound for Hotel UMass.
GOP lawmakers called on Healey to clarify her vetting process for new hires, particularly following reports that Cook, 45, was arrested in connection with a 2001 Springfield shooting and faced an assault charge and firearms offenses.
“We don’t know all the circumstances; the DA is investigating,” Healey previously said on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio.”
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“I will tell you this,” she continued. “I was shocked, and I was so angry. It’s a huge betrayal of trust, you know? A huge betrayal of trust for those of us who work hard in government and the people of Springfield, frankly. … As soon as I learned of it, he was terminated before he even was arraigned.”
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