Massachusetts Official Fired After Drug Trafficking Arrest Disputes Repayment
A former Massachusetts governor’s aide who was arrested in a large‑scale drug trafficking investigation is fighting the state’s effort to reclaim more than $31,000 in unused vacation payouts, arguing that he was legally entitled to the money at the time it was issued.
Lamar D. Cook, 46, served as deputy director of Governor Maura Healey’s Western Massachusetts office until his termination in October. His firing came after state police arrested him during a sting operation that intercepted multiple packages of cocaine allegedly linked to him. Cook has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Massachusetts later paid him $31,438 for roughly 530 hours of accrued leave. In January, the Healey administration filed a lawsuit asserting the payout was issued in error because Cook was terminated “for cause,” which would disqualify him from receiving the funds.
Cook Says He Relied on the Payout in Good Faith
court filings, Cook argues that Massachusetts processed the payout through its normal payroll system and that he had no reason to believe it was improper. He maintains that he did not misrepresent anything to obtain the money and that the state should not penalize him for what it now calls an administrative mistake.
Cook’s filing emphasizes the timeline: he was terminated before his arrest and before prosecutors brought formal charges. Because of that, he argues, Massachusetts lacked grounds at the time to classify his dismissal as “for cause.”
He also contends that the state’s attempt to reclaim the payout after the fact is improper and unsupported by employment rules governing accrued leave.
State Says Payout Was Mistakenly Issued
The Healey administration maintains that Cook’s termination stemmed directly from the criminal investigation and therefore meets the definition of a “for cause” dismissal. Under state policy, employees fired for cause are not eligible to receive payouts for unused vacation time.
The administration’s lawsuit seeks the full amount plus interest. Officials have not commented publicly beyond the court filings.
Sting Operation Led to Arrest
Cook’s arrest followed a months‑long investigation involving state police and federal authorities. According to prosecutors, investigators intercepted a package containing cocaine that was addressed to the governor’s Springfield office, where Cook worked. A state trooper posing as a UPS driver delivered the package, and Cook allegedly retrieved it.
Authorities say they intercepted additional packages addressed to Hotel UMass, where Cook previously served as director. Prosecutors allege Cook had been observed picking up suspicious packages from the hotel’s mailroom.
In total, investigators reported seizing more than 21,000 grams of cocaine during the operation. Police also searched Cook’s home, where they found a 9mm Taurus G3 pistol and ammunition. Cook did not have a license to carry a firearm, according to prosecutors.
A Former Community Leader Accused of a Double Life
Before his arrest, Cook was widely regarded as a respected figure in Western Massachusetts. He mentored young people, advocated against gun violence, and was recognized as one of Springfield’s “100 Men of Color.”
That public image has become a point of contrast in the case. During a March hearing, a Hampden County assistant district attorney said Cook had been “conning” people who viewed him as a community leader.
“He was conning all of these good people in the community, conning the UMass hotel, conning the governor’s office,” she said in court. “Because in reality, he was pushing this poison into our community.”
Cook joined the governor’s office in 2023 and earned about $115,000 per year.
