Former staffer for Massachusetts Governor Healey released on reduced bail after 20+ kilos of drugs seized

A former staffer for the Massachusetts Governor has been released after posting bail that was lowered during arraignment.

LaMar Cook, a former aide to Governor Maura Healey, was the deputy director of her Western Massachusetts office in Springfield, where he served as a regional liaison starting in 2023.

According to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, in late October 2025, Cook was arrested by Massachusetts State Police after investigators intercepted packages containing significant amounts of cocaine delivered to the Springfield State Office Building where he worked and Hotel UMass. He faced initial charges including Cocaine Trafficking, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of Ammunition. He pleaded not guilty and was fired immediately by the Healey administration upon learning of the arrest.

A Hampden County Grand Jury indicted Cook in February in Superior Court. The indictment includes charges of Cocaine Trafficking, Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws (a new charge suggesting he wasn’t acting alone, with an unnamed “John Doe” co-conspirator), Illegal Gun Possession, and Driving Without a License. The case stems from the alleged scheme involving cocaine shipments to public buildings.

Cook’s arrest resulted in the seizure of multiple parcels containing a combined total of approximately 21 kilograms of suspected cocaine.

Additionally, in January, the state filed a lawsuit against Cook to recover over $31,000 in erroneously paid unused vacation/sick leave buyback. The payment was made in error after his termination for cause, and the state is seeking repayment plus interest, calling it an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars given the criminal allegations.

Cook’s bail was previously set at $85,000, however, according to court records, at arraignment on March 6th, his bail was lowered to $25,000 which he posted this week.

A hearing on compliance is scheduled for April 3rd.

According to The Maine Wire, investigators located a scale inside Cook’s former office which tested positive for residues of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. WhatsApp communications on Cook’s cell phone were also revealed with an individual who had relocated from Springfield to Houston, timed to facilitate interstate shipments.