A Springfield-based aide to Governor Maura Healey has been dismissed from his position after authorities seized eight kilograms—nearly 18 pounds—of cocaine intended for delivery to a downtown state building where he was employed. LaMar Cook, aged 45, was apprehended on Tuesday night, a day following the investigation that led to a search of his office. He has been charged with cocaine trafficking, along with additional counts of carrying a firearm and ammunition without a license and driving without a license, according to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.
During his arraignment on Wednesday at Springfield District Court, Cook pleaded not guilty to the charges. A judge has ordered him to remain at Hampden County Jail while awaiting a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Friday. A spokesperson for Healey remarked that Cook’s actions were “unacceptable and represent a major breach of the public trust.” Following the incident, Cook was terminated from his role as the deputy director of the governor’s Western Massachusetts office, effective immediately.
The investigation that led to Cook's arrest is linked to two significant seizures earlier in the month. One seizure occurred on October 10, when authorities intercepted 13 kilograms—nearly 29 pounds—of cocaine at Hotel UMass in Amherst. Interestingly, Cook had previously served as the director of the UMass hotel for almost seven years, as indicated on his LinkedIn profile. On Saturday, police intercepted an additional eight kilograms of cocaine at the state building on Dwight Street in downtown Springfield, which houses several state offices, including the district office for the secretary of state and the Hampden County registry of deeds.
According to the district attorney’s office, investigators executed a search warrant at Cook’s office in the state building on Monday. Cook was appointed to his position by Healey in 2023, having had a background primarily in hospitality. His LinkedIn profile notes that he was also a co-founder of the Back to School Brighter Initiative, an organization that provides Springfield children with essential school supplies, haircuts, and backpacks.
Cook, who has previously run for positions on the Springfield City Council and the school board, earned a salary of $115,668 in his role with the governor’s office, as per state records. He described his position as a “key liaison between the state government and the western region of Massachusetts,” emphasizing his role in managing and coordinating government initiatives across four counties.
Despite his professional background, Cook appears to have faced ongoing financial difficulties. In 2025, a debt collection agency sued him, claiming he owed over $2,400 on a Macy’s credit card. Additionally, in 2024, he was sued for more than $5,600 owed on a Capital One credit card. While the 2024 case was dismissed, the other two lawsuits remain pending.
Cook appeared in court on Wednesday wearing a varsity-style jacket and handcuffs. Judge William Rota, who presided over the arraignment, remarked, “You’ll be our guest for a few days, Mr. Cook, but you’ll have a full and complete hearing on Friday.” His attorney, Kedar Ismail, expressed optimism about clearing Cook’s name in the upcoming proceedings.
The circumstances surrounding Cook’s arrest have sparked criticism from Healey’s Republican opponents, who argue that the situation reflects poorly on her leadership. Mike Kennealy, a former economic development secretary under former Governor Charlie Baker, labeled the arrest a “disgrace for our state.” Former MBTA executive Brian Shortsleeve, another GOP gubernatorial candidate, stated, “This is not bad luck; it’s bad leadership,” emphasizing that the incident reveals issues within Healey’s administration.
For further updates on this developing story, please follow Samantha J. Gross at samantha.gross@globe.com or on Twitter at @samanthajgross.
