SPRINGFIELD — LaMar Cook, the deputy director of Gov. Maura Healey’s western Massachusetts office and a former director of Hotel UMass, was arrested Tuesday on charges of cocaine trafficking after police seized 8 kilograms of the drug at his office in Springfield.
Cook, 45, of Springfield, has been fired from his state job effective immediately, the governor’s office said.
According to the Hampden County district attorney’s office, Cook’s arrest came as a result of an ongoing investigation into narcotics trafficking in the region. Earlier this month, investigators intercepted two packages at Hotel UMass, finding them to contain approximately 13 kilograms of cocaine.
On Saturday, 8 kilograms delivered to the Springfield State Office Building were intercepted by authorities. According to the DA’s office, the cocaine delivered to Cook’s office matched the consistency of the narcotics recovered at Hotel UMass earlier this month.
Cook was subsequently arrested on Tuesday on charges of trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, the DA’s office said in a statement.
In 2023, Cook was named by Healey as deputy director to the governor’s then-new western Massachusetts office, meant to serve as a primary liaison between the governor and residents in the western part of the state. Kristen Elechko, a Northampton resident and former regional director for U.S. Senator Ed Markey, was named director of the office.
At the time of his appointment, a press release from the governor’s office referred to Cook as a “major presence in the Springfield business community.” Prior to his appointment, Cook served as director for Hotel UMass from 2016 to 2023, according to his LinkedIn page. He also had a stint as general manager for the Fairfield Inn in Northampton from 2014 to 2016, with his career in hotel management stretching back to at least 2007, according to the page.
In addition to his hotel work, Cook is the co-founder of the Back to School Brighter Initiative, which provides children in Springfield with free haircuts, backpacks and school supplies. He also was a member of the Springfield Preservation Committee and on the board of the Massachusetts Lodging Association.
UMass declined to comment regarding Cook’s arrest or the investigation, saying all questions should be directed to the DAs office. In announcing that Cook had been fired, governor spokesperson Karissa Hand said that the “conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust,” Hand said. “This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work.”
Cook was arraigned on Wednesday in Springfield District Court, pleading not guilty, and was ordered committed to the Hampden County House of Correction. He is expected back in court on Friday, Oct. 31, for a pretrial hearing.
The investigation leading to Cook’s arrest was conducted by the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET West), the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other partner agencies. The investigation remains ongoing, according to the Hampden DA’s office.