AG Martha Coakley appoints former N.J. State Police lieutenant colonel to Mass. gambling commission

By Mark Arsenault

February 28, 2012

1 minute to read

Attorney General Martha Coakley has selected former New Jersey State Police lieutenant colonel Gayle Cameron, born in Cambridge and raised in Weymouth, as her pick for the state gambling commission, the powerful board that will shape the future of casino gambling in Massachusetts.

In her job with the New Jersey State Police, Cameron, 55, oversaw numerous police investigations involving Atlantic City casinos.

Cameron holds a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Bridgewater State University and a master’s degree in education from Seton Hall University. She joined the New Jersey State Police in 1980 and retired in 2008. She has been dividing her time between Florida and Plymouth, Mass., but says she will move permanently to Plymouth.

Her career in the New Jersey State Police spanned 28 years. She was a road duty trooper, and rose through the ranks to the department’s second-highest post: lieutenant colonel and deputy superintendent of investigations. She spent nine years as a detective, conducting criminal investigations that included undercover work inside casinos.

“I embrace the challenge of starting with a clean slate to foster a gaming environmentally which is secure and robust,’’ said Cameron.

Coakley made her announcement in a press conference with Cameron this afternoon. The job pays $112,500 a year.

The five-member commission, created by the casino legislation approved last November, has been slow to develop. Governor Deval Patrick in December announced the first appointment, Stephen Crosby, to be the commission’s chairman. Cameron is the second member to be named.

Under the law, Coakley’s choice needed to have experience in criminal investigations and law enforcement.

Next up, Treasurer Steve Grossman must appoint one commission member with experience in corporate finance and securities. Patrick, Coakley and Grossman will then jointly fill the final two slots. The deadline for appointments is March 21.