Three Democrats are face severe criminal allegations in separate incidents across the country.
In Massachusetts, a high-ranking member of Governor Maura Healey’s administration lost his position following his apprehension on serious narcotics and weapons violations.
Lamar Cook, who held the role of deputy director in the governor’s Western Massachusetts office, was taken into custody this Tuesday when law enforcement officers carried out a search warrant at Springfield’s State Office Building, his workplace, as confirmed by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation revealed that authorities had seized several parcels containing what investigators believe to be cocaine, all destined for delivery at the government facility.
During his court appearance on Wednesday at Springfield District Court, Cook entered not guilty pleas to accusations of cocaine trafficking along with illegal possession of both a firearm and ammunition. CBS News reports that he is slated to appear in court again this Friday.
According to officials, the arrest came after a controlled delivery procedure conducted the previous Saturday, during which law enforcement personnel confiscated approximately eight kilograms of cocaine.
Investigators have collected a total of roughly 21 kilograms of the illegal substance in relation to this investigation, which includes two packages that were discovered earlier in the month at Hotel UMass.
“Evidence collected during that operation was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery in Springfield,” Gulluni’s office said in a statement.
“The investigation into the UMass seizure remains ongoing and may result in additional charges related to the prior shipments in Hampshire County.”
In the wake of Cook’s detention, Governor Healey’s office moved quickly to announce his immediate dismissal from his governmental position.
“The governor’s office has been made aware of the arrest of an employee, Lamar Cook. The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust,” Healey’s office said in a statement.
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“Mr. Cook has been terminated from his position effective immediately. This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work.”
In a separate development in Illinois, a Democratic candidate seeking a congressional seat has been indicted by a special federal grand jury in connection with an incident involving demonstrators who allegedly obstructed vehicles at a federal immigration detention center.
Kat Abughazaleh, along with other protesters, faces charges related to blocking traffic outside the facility located in Broadview, Illinois.
The charging document, submitted on October 23, claims that Abughazaleh “physically hindered and impeded” a federal agent who was “forced to drive at an extremely slow rate of speed to avoid injuring any of the conspirators.”
The indictment names five additional individuals alongside Abughazaleh, including two others who are also running for political office.
The congressional hopeful is facing one conspiracy charge in addition to an allegation that she “forcibly impeded, intimidated, and interfered” with a law enforcement officer.
According to the document, they “conspired with one another and others, known and unknown, to prevent by force, intimidation, and threat, Agent A, a United States law enforcement officer, from discharging the duties of his office, and to injure him in his person or property on account of his lawful discharge of the duties of his office, and while engaged in the lawful discharge thereof, and to injure his property so as to interrupt, hinder, and impede him in the discharge of his official duties.”
Rather than being placed under arrest, the defendants received notification regarding the indictment and have been instructed to turn themselves in voluntarily next week.
Abughazaleh is campaigning for a seat in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, which is currently occupied by Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky, who plans to retire.
The candidate has been an outspoken opponent of immigration enforcement policies implemented by the Trump administration.
In North Carolina, a veteran state lawmaker from Guilford County is facing multiple accusations involving inappropriate conduct with a minor.
He has reportedly tried to contact and find the alleged victim while invoking his position as an elected official, according to documents filed with the court.
On October 10, a judge established bail at $1 million for Democratic Representative Cecil Brockman.
Brockman is a six term Democrat representing Guilford County in the North Carolina House.
The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office reports he faces two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and two counts of statutory rape.
Documentation from a magistrate indicates that Brockman stands accused of participating in a sexual act with a 15-year-old on two occasions and is also alleged to have committed “a lewd and lascivious act” upon the same minor twice.
Court documents say he made attempts to locate the juvenile in the hospital and tried to use his state legislator title to get access to information about the victim’s whereabouts.
The North Carolina state house has initiated procedures to remove Brockman from his legislative seat following demands for his resignation from lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum.
Brockman remains incarcerated and has not answered appeals from both political parties urging him to step down from the governor or his party.
House Speaker Destin Hall revealed last week that he is forming a bipartisan committee tasked with investigating Brockman and deciding whether expulsion is warranted.
“Obviously, it’s bad, and obviously, if those things are true, then he has no business serving in the state House,” Hall stated.
“He’s got a right to due process in the criminal court system. He’s got a right to some due process here as a member of the House. Those are probably different processes that will be gone through.”
